Article in development

This past week I received an email from Phil Lutz, writer with The New York Times, who wrote to express interest in writing an article about WSW for the Metropolitan Section of the paper, ahead of our Fall Concert. We had a 75 minute conversation on Thursday, and he followed it up with another conversation with Rachel on Saturday. He intends to attend rehearsal this coming Monday evening, with a photographer. I am not sure if/how this may affect rehearsal, but I wanted you to know he will be visiting. I don’t have to point out how pivotal this could be for us. Please make every effort to arrive early to help set up and warm up, so we can start exactly on time and put our best foot forward. Be proactive so that no one is late!!!

Check the rehearsal plan for the week; the soprano duets will be rehearsed at the end of rehearsal again (Rossini – Delibes – Mozart this time), in final preparation for the soloists arriving next Monday. We’ll go with the “Farewell Symphony” plan again of gradually disappearing players and equipment in the final 30 minutes of rehearsal.

Please reflect on this

I noticed this post on Travis Cross’s Facebook page this past week. I think it speaks directly to what I have been trying to convey this fall in regard to listening more collaboratively and conversing, not just playing, in rehearsals. I hope you agree that this is extremely worthwhile.

I just had an online conversation about watching the conductor and thought I’d share something from yesterday’s rehearsal—because I believe in the idea so strongly. I was conducting a ritardando, and the players didn’t slow down enough. I stopped and said, “Don’t get there before I do.” Then, instead of instructing them to watch and follow me, I challenged them to take more time and “be more musical than I am” at the end of that phrase.

I’m convinced that playing musically, listening, and breathing together are far more important than watching the conductor, and I want my rehearsals to sensitize students to what their colleagues are doing and not just what I’m doing.

Travis Cross, via Facebook

Enjoy this beautiful day — see you tomorrow evening.