Tired piles on tired as activity piles on activity.
What does the director do?
Demand a vigorous rehearsal, denying the exhaustion of the singers?
Slow down, offer sympathy and a restful, unproductive time?
Surely there’s a middle ground to find – one which honors the time that the singers have committed, while also honoring their many other commitments.
Surely there’s a way to show love and maintain momentum.
It’s a dance, and one that requires the conductor to constantly evaluate their pacing, their expectations, their rehearsal plan to tailor it to the moment.