Letter to the Orchestra
To the Players of Orchestras,
When the musician grimaces at a discordant tone they are scowling at the hours of dedicative practice while attempting to escape from this sound. It is a trigger, as if recounting in a time machine a private teacher devastating (or enlightening) their perception of good tone on their applied instrument.
I see their struggle: Sitting in a line of other instrumentalists of the same type, comparatively worrying whether they “fit in”. They approximate who is the superior performer without considering the true nature of the section, which is to be a team combining as a unified branch.
I hear their insecurities: When trying to successfully hit a note that is complicated to locate. Being courageous takes confidence and belief in oneself. Be a superhero (live into the impossible) and clear the mind of doubt. Hesitation is a virus that musicians need to purge themselves of. The clutter of apprehension is what generates a lack of faith. Proficiency comes from both mastery and ego. You must see the destination and imagine yourself there before even putting your instrument up.
I witness their exertion: Ensemble performance is not equated to drudgery. When players give all their vitality to the music it ceases to be laborious, but rather becomes honest and authentic. We hug one another with the sound of instruments acknowledging that no one is on an island. Listen and discern if you aren’t with the rest of the group! Our hearts beat as one.
I breathe with them: As an empathetic conductor I want to ride the same musical journey and experience the communal sentiments. I am here to captivate those viewing the baton and lift them up; their success is our success. The catch is that everyone is responsible for… everyone. We must all hold each other accountable to achieving the highest standard. This is the difference between many individuals playing simultaneously and a Symphony Orchestra.
A collective of distinctly unique humans with the desire to be in a space and live into a common goal. This is what makes ensemble playing exquisite. It is what keeps us striving toward that perfection that will never be attained.
I see you and hear you. I believe in you and what we can achieve together.
David Michael Galant
The Artist
It all begins with an idea.
“The artist is one who explores the realm of possibility in order to survive. Mixing color and combining spices equals opportunity. When creating we bring forth our own idiomatic ideas into existence. In essence we give birth and state loudly our personal impressions or beliefs. This innovation cannot be failure for what is art but a subjective point of view.
Conducting is simply that. A body moving with the desire to have an opinion. We become artists in order to transform ourselves and others that witness. Why we do it cannot be defined or assumed. It is like asking why one breathes or experiences emotion. Art happens and its not restrained. What I compose for you now is art.
My favorite art is what occurs naturally. The sound of rain and the plethora of tones it creates. Watching a dancer smile while seamlessly putting their body into complex positions. The marching band rehearsal that looks like chaos, but really is controlled.
Why is art the first defunded in society today? Is it because it isn’t codified and is constantly evolving? Is it because humans fear the unknown? Art is the unknown. It is the outburst of innovation and imagination.
Art is expression without barriers. We do not have to pretend to be someone we are not when we invent or craft.
Think about who we would be without art. No film, music, paintings, photography or dance. Our species was destined to develop what could only be theorized.
Appreciation for art becomes the foundation of the human experience. Once we can truly understand this then we can comprehend who we are as architects, inventors, designers, and producers.
I am an artist and so are you. Embrace this and challenge yourself through discovery.
Art can be terrifying yet exhilarating. It is in this kingdom that we truly speak our truth.”
- David Michael Galant
