I am such of fan of observing other people’s rehearsals.
Observing the rehearsal, with active participation, is maybe the best way to get better at the art of effective rehearsal. Alice Parker has said that the real learning happened in her conducting masters with Robert Shaw at Juilliard when she stood behind him in rehearsal and tried to anticipate what he was going to do next!
I’m sitting in rehearsal right now, observing my dad’s choir rehearsing the Beethoven 9 with the orchestral conductor who’ll be leading them next week. (Coincidentally, it’s a colleague from GRCC.)
As they rehearse, I’m paying attention to what he pays attention to. I’m paying attention to what he forgives and what he corrects. I’m paying attention to his pacing, his demeanor, his method of attack. None are the same as mine, but all are teaching me about alternative ideas. With my attention, I trust that my own rehearsal technique will continue to refine itself.
Of course, who has time to regularly observe others’ rehearsals? When you’re singing in a choir, you don’t have the wherewithal to really think about rehearsal technique – your whole brain is focused on singing your part and following instructions. When you’re out in the world, you’re occupied with your own rehearsals.
Occasionally, there will be an open rehearsal or rehearsal technique session at a conference, but these are generally quite artificial – they don’t reflect the reality of day to day rehearsals. Much better to occasionally set aside the time to drop into a rehearsal and really learn.