What are the responsibilities of the conductor?
The conductor’s job is to know how all the parts relate, keep the group together, and interpret the music. A conductor guides the musicians through the piece by giving them cues with hand gestures, body language and eye contact. In rehearsal, a conductor listens to the group as a whole and makes decisions regarding various aspects of the music such as dynamics (Is it loud or soft?), balance (Can the melody be heard?), tempo markings (What speed or quality of motion?), and intonation (Do the pitches match?). A symphony orchestra’s main conductor, the Music Director, makes most of the artistic decisions of the organization such as selecting the music, choosing soloists and guest conductors, and hiring new orchestra musicians. Additionally, the Music Director should act as the orchestra’s ambassador in the community. [back to top] How does the HSO compare to other orchestras in the U.S.? Orchestras with the largest budgets include the Boston Symphony ($58.4 million), the Chicago Symphony
The conductor’s job is to know how all the parts relate, keep the group together, and interpret the music. A conductor guides the musicians through the piece by giving them cues with hand gestures, body language and eye contact. In rehearsal, a conductor listens to the group as a whole and makes decisions regarding various aspects of the music such as dynamics (Is it loud or soft?), balance (Can the melody be heard?), tempo markings (What speed or quality of motion?), and intonation (Do the pitches match?). A symphony orchestra’s main conductor, the Music Director, makes most of the artistic decisions of the organization such as selecting the music, choosing soloists and guest conductors, and hiring new orchestra musicians. Additionally, the Music Director should act as the orchestra’s ambassador in the community. [back to top] How does the HSO compare to other orchestras in the U.S.? Orchestras with the largest budgets include the Boston Symphony ($58.4 million), the Chicago Symphony