Westwood Ensemble

I Hate to Practice or…Practicing and preparing for ensemble rehearsals and a concert

August 29, 2017Jonathan LaneHow To, Tips

How to practice is a large subject. There should be a routine of scales, etudes and technical development. For now, I would like to discuss how to practice and prepare for upcoming ensemble rehearsals and a concert. In school music groups that meet daily, students are presented new music and the norm is not to

What is the role of conductor or artistic director of a music organization?

July 26, 2017Jonathan LaneEducation & History, Music, Performance2 Comments

What the audience sees and hears at an orchestra performance is just the final product of what a conductor does. Those arm waving and traffic-cop motions are only a small part of the job. The conductor must select appropriate literature that meets the needs of the ensemble and delights the audience. I often compare the