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
