Conducting Lesson

I had my first full conducting lesson. Finally. Very glad about this.

We worked on some things to help with clarity of gesture. In the slower sections I was subdividing by relaxing my wrist slightly. I din't realize I was doing this. I don't know when the subdivision crept in the gesture... I didn't see it when I practiced in front of the mirror. I practiced my subdivision at the beginning of the year, although not while working on Rejoice in the Lamb. At any rate, I was able to get a good look at my gesture without the subdivision, so that's helpful.

What I liked about the lesson was the quick feedback from my teacher and the fact I was able to make quick fixes. I was a little worried he would ask me to do something and I wouldn't be able to fix/change it on the spot. But, at least in this lesson, that was not the case. The lesson will help me focus on some specific things. Time to put in the practice so that at my next lesson, I can show improvement.

We made it through almost half of the Britten. So we'll finish that... and then we're going to start on the Rutter Gloria. He would like me to buy the full score- which I found for $109 on Amazon. I suppose I need to get used to the idea that I need to buy scores. Or rather, John and I need to get used to the idea that we will be buying scores. It does encourage me to not spend money on books for other classes if I don't have to get them. I won't purchase any suggested material- and if I don't need the required material, I won't get it.

I am already thinking about classes for next semester. We are just about halfway through this semester. The undergrads are all taking midterms this week and next week.

I still do not know what my final project/test is going to be at the end of my masters. I have been thinking about that. I think I give a recital (put on a concert) and I heard the other day I take an audio test. A choral song is played and my job is to say what the song is, who it is by, and give the background of the piece and the composer. But I do not actually know any of this for certain. I'll know more when I meet with the graduate advisor in a couple of weeks. By the way, I think the graduate advisor is awesome.