Mass Rehearsal Day One

We had our first Winter Festival rehearsal tonight. And after the very warm, tiring group rehearsal I had a Women's Choir rehearsal. They did well, although I am just a little worried that they are not as prepared as they could be. I know they can sing these songs so musically, but I am just not sure if they will. We just did not have a lot of time on them. However, I think they will give a performance that will still be good.

I have some work to do this week on my movement of the Rutter. It is a bit frustrating. I have spent so much time on this song and I cannot seem to find a way of conducting it that meets expectations of my teacher and the brass conductor, shows shape of the line, and is something I can easily change. Every change I make I spend hours practicing- and again today I changed how I conduct the Rutter. After a rehearsal with the brass, I realized I need to show the utmost clarity. Many of my ways of showing line to the choir now has to change because I really cannot really deviate from a three pattern. I am thinking so much in rehearsals about what my gesture is showing that my ears are not listening as well and I am not as good of a teacher when we stop and I give feedback. Perhaps this is part of the learning process, but I wish it did not take so long. Early on in the process, my teacher kept adding or changing things about my gesture and how I was showing things. Then he would change his mind. In my last lesson I really made some good progress and it seemed that my gesture was settling into what was going to be the clearest.

In the end, I believe I will do an okay job and the choirs will sing well. It has just been a very windy process that I want to stream line in the future. I know the learning IS a process, but I would like it to be a more efficient one.

I also should probably make sure I get a good night of sleep. Morning comes early on Tuesdays and Thursdays.