Is preparation for the orchestral pieces the only practicing necessary for the individual musicians?
No. There is daily maintenance (think calisthenics!) required to be in top playing shape at all times. Like athletes, our bodies are finely tuned to be able to respond to the musical directions our brains give them. This conditioning can require anywhere from thirty minutes to a few hours. Most musicians of the BSO rarely take more than one day completely off from our instruments at a time. Repetitive strain injuries, tendonitis, and other overuse problems are common, and we must plan our practice time accordingly so as to prevent these problems. I remember a stretch from college days where I played the violin every single day for a couple of years.
