
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
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.
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