Don’t forget to leave time for things to settle.
I often think about maximizing the settling time of a new piece. The more time we can spend between learning notes & rhythms and performance, the more the piece can settle into a mature interpretation. It just takes time, especially for young ensembles, to clarify the musicality, the ensemble sound, all the aspects of interpretation.
As you gain musical sophistication, the settling time decreases. The music comes out more fully formed, you have a better understanding of your ensemble mates, you can relate this music to other music you’ve done before. It still takes time, but less.
The secret is, this isn’t just for music. Don’t ignore the fact that all learning – all growth! – needs settling time. If you don’t leave yourself that extra time between acquiring a new skill and performing at it, you are not properly preparing yourself for success.