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- Clarity of vision. The director needs to have a clear vision of what they’re attempting to make. They need to know in advance what are their most important aims or goals, what they want to say, and why they want to say it.
- Originality. A truly great director needs to say something new. It may be through the bringing together of ideas previously formed, even by other people.
- Inspiring and passionate; a leader. The director must be completely invested and enthused by their vision, and they must be able to inspire and enthuse others about it.
- Trust and faith in their crew’s abilities and talents. A great director trusts their crew to bring the vision to life. By laying out the clear, original vision in an inspiring way, the great director will then take a step back to allow the creatives to bring their unique talents to bear on the problem.
- Transcription. In order to perfect a performance, it’s essential that players are completely aware of melodies, harmonies, and timing. A musical director will transcribe the heard into the written.
- Rearrangement. Musical directors may adapt a song so that it works better for those involved. This can include rewriting notes (melody & harmony), switching instruments (timbre), cutting sections (form), changing key (pitch), volume (dynamic), layering instruments (texture).
- Production. As musical directors are responsible for liaising between artists and the production crew, the final sound is very much in their hands. Of course, the director must communicate the base technical needs of the band.
- Inspiration. A musical director isn’t just interested in jotting down catchy tunes; the artists behind the music are just as interesting. Recording sessions and live shows are a lot of work.
- Start Off on The Right Foot.
- Value Your Chorus.
- Use Song and Dance to Enhance The Story, Not as Window Dressing.
- Communicate Effectively with Your Cast and Crew.
- Don’T Be Afraid to Collaborate.
- Dedicate Entire Rehearsals to Song Or Dance.
- Anticipate Needing A Bigger Budget.
- Understand That Techand Dress Rehearsals Will Be Messy.
- We Know It’S Cheesy… But Seriously, Have Fun!
As the leader of your production, you need to have a clear vision for how you want your musical to look, sound, and play out. Be organized and prepared for push-back on your creative choices, from both students and others on your leadership team. Perhaps a few people aren’t happy with the musical choice or the lead picks – c’est la vie. Stick to yo...
Your chorus is the backbone of your musical production, no doubt about it. Ensure you’re making those members of your team feel valued from day one, from lead roles to ensemble members. Begin rehearsing the chorus early in the process – they are often the people that need to learn the most song and dance numbers. Without a unified, sharp, and on-pi...
Your musical and dance numbers, along with being the flash and pizzazz that keep audiences engaged, should also be driving your narrative. See the music and choreography as extensions of your narrative action. When a character transitions from speaking to singing, remember that their voice is an engine of the ongoing story, and discuss those motiva...
Communicating effectively is a key aspect of successful musical directing, and it involves two main components: communication within your cast and crew, and communication with your audience through marketing. This open line is essential to ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal. This means being clear and direc...
Directing a musical requires a lotof work and seemingly endless creative decisions; don’t be afraid to ask for help. Work side-by-side with your other staffers, including choreographers and musical directors, and build out the entire musical together. Understand the importance of the combination of the written word, music, and dance. Additionally, ...
Prepare for some trepidation when it comes to singing and dancing, especially if your cast is relatively green. Actors will often be nervous to just “go for it” – so be sure to dedicate plenty of time to letting your cast get comfortable singing and moving their bodies – and doing both at the same time. Vocal warmups, improvgames, impromptu dance p...
More than likely, your musical will require more money than your plays have in the past. A few items to consider in your expanded budgetinclude: 1. Acquiring the rights to produce the musical: You’ll need to nab scripts, scores, and rehearsal tracks. 2. Amping up your sound system: You’ll likely need an exceptional sound system, or at least some te...
Musicals are incredibly physical – and the first time you put together all the moving parts, it will inevitably get a little choppy. Sure, singing a chorus part is a piece of cake, and so is the choreography, right? But putting them together will likely cause some stress. You’ll need to focus on breath work, stamina, and emoting whilst singing and ...
We hope that this advice on musical directing has been helpful in preparing you for the upcoming season. Remember, the key to success is to stay organized, communicate effectively with your team, and have fun! Directing a musical can be hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Encourage your team to enjoy the process and to have fun along the way. Ce...
A Musical Director leads a cast, orchestra, choir and other musical groups during a performance. They select musical arrangements and compositions to be performed and study musical scores to prepare for rehearsals. They are responsible for bringing the music of a musical theatre production to life, guiding performers and musicians to create a ...
Select, arrange and interpret musical scores for a variety of performances. Audition and hire musicians and vocalists for performances. Conduct rehearsals to prepare for live performances. Lead performances, ensuring music is presented as planned. Maintain effective communication with all members of the ensemble.
Introduction. In America, music directors are called upon to play three overlapping roles: Principal Conductor: a performing musician. Artistic Director: the artistic head of the institution. Community Arts Leader: an advocate, ambassador, and teacher working on behalf of the orchestra in its community.
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Unlock the artistry of music direction with our comprehensive article. Explore the pivotal role of a music director in orchestrating harmonious performances and shaping musical experiences. Learn about the responsibilities, skills, and creative insights required to lead musicians and ensembles to excellence. Dive into the world of musical direction and gain a deeper appreciation for the maestros behind the scenes in our informative article on music directors.
