I have large classes.

64
49
72
45
38
20

When 49 students come into a class, they bring a lot with them. Of course there is stuff in their hands, but I mean they bring a lot of baggage in their minds with them. Getting them all on the same page is difficult. Sing this five note descending scale pattern. Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh. 49 postures need to match to get breath support for the sound. 49 faces must shape into Ohs. 49 minds must have the same concept of the tone quality and adjust. 49 students must submit their wills to the collective will--the director's will. They have things they want to say. If we are to move forward, they can't say them. They have to manage themselves: have music at hand, find a sightline to the conductor, find their own space to stand and move as they sing.

Their minds are active thinking of a thousand things: they missed breakfast, they forgot lunch money, they forgot their homework for the next class, they had a fuss with their girlfriend in the hallway, there are problems at home--mom is angry, dad is silent, brother or sister is annoying, and on and on and on. There are worried about themselves. They are too short, or tall, too fat or too thin, too loud or not loud enough. Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.

They must listen to their section, to the piano, to themselves, and watch the conductor. I don't kid myself. Most of what they are thinking about is not the music we are singing. What do I say in the intervals to call them to task, to motivate them to focus. Success breeds success. If we do well, they pay more attention. If they pay more attention, they do better. I must encourage, criticize, drive them forward, reinforce tempo, dynamic, blend, balance, and expression. There is a dynamic ebb and flow.

I met with some other musicians last night and we despaired at how badly some of our colleagues are doing at leading choruses. How do you figure out what to do next? It's okay not to be an average conductor, but you must be improving all the time. Listen to other recordings, other conductors, go to workshops, ask questions. Take the clinicians to lunch. Listen to them talk. Do what they do. The work is difficult.