avatarAgnes Laurens

Summary

A concertmaster of an amateur orchestra recounts their experience of facing resistance from the group when enforcing bowing techniques, ultimately affirming the importance of leadership and teamwork.

Abstract

The author, recently appointed as the concertmaster of a local amateur orchestra, shares their journey of navigating the challenges of leadership. Despite initial excitement, they encounter pushback from fellow violinists who resist adopting the bowing techniques they've been instructed to implement. The concertmaster reflects on the importance of their role, the expectations placed upon them, and the balance between asserting authority and collaborating with the group. They offer insights into how they managed the situation, including consulting with the board and conductor for support, and provide tips for others in similar leadership positions, emphasizing clear communication, understanding the assignment, and working with the team to achieve the best outcome.

Opinions

  • The concertmaster initially believed that the orchestra members would be open to their guidance, indicating a preconceived expectation of compliance.
  • There is a sense of disappointment when the group rejects the concertmaster's bowing instructions, suggesting a clash of personal and professional dynamics.
  • The author emphasizes the significance of the concertmaster's role in leading and guiding the orchestra, viewing it as a responsibility that comes with the position.
  • The concertmaster values the support received from the board and the conductor, which reinforces their authority and the legitimacy of their instructions.
  • The author advocates for a structured approach to leadership, including assessing the assignment, understanding team expectations, and either working independently or collaboratively based on the situation.
  • They suggest that maintaining a clear line of communication about one's responsibilities is crucial, and any disagreements should be directed to the appropriate authority, such as the board in their case.
The music I played with them. — Image: Agnes Laurens

Classical music

Being the concertmaster of an amateur orchestra as a step in

On the 5th of November of this year, I have been asked to be a concertmaster of an amateur orchestra in my neighborhood. Because I always wanted to be a concertmaster, I immediately said yes. A dream come true, you would say. Even it is an amateur orchestra, in the first place, it was a dream that came true for me. But at the first rehearsal, I realized that they were not willing to compromise or do the bowing that I had ordered them (one of the many tasks of the concertmaster (and the board had asked me to do this)).

When I entered the room the first night, I was nervous because I wanted to play well and I thought they had high expectations of me (as people had in my youth). So I picked up my stuff and was installed and sat down.

I thought they were nice people. They were, but when I started playing, I played a few pieces and immediately I passed my bowings to the group of the other violinists, but they did not like it and told me immediately that they had devised other bows they wanted to perform.

Two weeks later, they told me that they could not play the bowings I had told them to play. They had played the bows they had in their minds. The conductor, however, asked them if they wanted to play my parts because I am the concertmaster. That is normally also the task of the concertmaster.

What I have done:

  • I actually drew my own plan. You could say that I also had to listen to them and keep their ideas in mind. In a sense, that is also true. However, the board has asked me to give guidance and to tell the other violinists which bows to play and lead them in a certain way. I also occasionally had to give some tips to the group on how to play the parts.
  • I have spoken with the board and with the conductor. The board has given me this assignment. The conductor did not want to interfere with the bows because he had given up on how it was going a long ago. Both parties are behind me, they have said.

My tips in these situations:

  • First, consider what your job is.
  • See what your assignment is.
  • Watch and listen to what is expected of you.
  • Are you able to carry out the assignment alone or do you need to work in a team?!
  • If you should be working in a team, try to collect all the ideas. Group these ideas into topics. See if you have been able to make one idea within these topics or that you have had to make several. This is how you continue until you have the best.
  • If you are alone, let it be known that you have been given that assignment and that you have to carry it out and that you are the person who is in charge. Within this guidance function, you can see which consensus you are doing to accommodate the others.
  • Get back to the others what has been asked of you. If you do not agree with this, they have to get back to your board/manager or whatever is in charge of you. In my case, that was the board.
Music
Violinist
Violin
Classical Music
Conductors
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