What I did when I gave three concerts in one day?
Maybe you know I play the violin and it's my biggest passion…
On the 27th of December 2018, yes it’s a long time ago now, I gave three concerts in one day with my orchestra. For children. We played a ballet play: The Nutcracker, written by the Russian composer Tsjaikovski. We had a big production with a local ballet company, storyteller and a local youth orchestra. We played the original music. And I had such fun. But three concert on one day is intense. This was the second time I did a childrens concert with my orchestra. Now I have the experience I will give you some advise on how to stay focused during the three concerts.
The ballet group danced their version of The Nutcracker. The storyteller told his own version of this famous ballet, The Nutcracker (in Dutch). For the children in the audience we played for one hour to hold their attention. On one day we played the same programme three times. And for me it was very intense. But you also get bonded with other orchestra members.
So, as I said, it was very intense. There are a few tricks for being focused all the time.
This is what worked for me:
- Practice all the music as well as you can. This seems offious, but as amateur musicians, we also don’t have that much time to practice as we all have other hobbies, interests and of course there is your job. If you know you practiced well, you are more confident to play amazingly at the concert.
- Know the muisc part you are playing. This seems to be the same as point one, but learn your part and all the other parts as well when they come together as music. You know when to play your part better then. You count better and you can play from the heart.
- Be aware which parts are playing when you don’t have to play. When you do not have to play, in rests, know what instrument is playing and what they are playing. You can then start easily playing after your rests when you exaclty know what, how and when other parts have to play.
- Watch the conductor. Always watch the conductor when you need to play. That is essential for not being late or too early.
- Feel your chair. It is very important to sit comfortable on the chair and feel how you sit and change that when it’s not comfortable. I always sit at the point of the chair so my violin won’t fall off my shoulder.
- Just play and don’t think. Sometimes when I play I think what I am doing. That’s with the most things I do. But when giving concerts you don’t need to think. You just have to play.
- Above all: ENJOY all the moments of the concerts.
As said, I played three times. Between the concert you don’t have to play. What did I do? I talked to other members in the orchestra, I also read a book, got some lunch and other things. These moment are precious. Bond with your orchestra members!
And remember: you can use these steps for each concerts you give.
Let me know if you have other tips to stay focused during concerts!
