{"id":1352,"date":"2024-11-14T01:54:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T01:54:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/?page_id=1352"},"modified":"2025-10-21T00:59:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T00:59:49","slug":"orchestra-protocols","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/programs\/orchestra-studies-program\/orchestra-protocols\/","title":{"rendered":"Orchestra Protocols"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/programs\/orchestra-studies-program\/\">back to Orchestra Studies Program page<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>BCOM Orchestra Protocols<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/files\/2024\/11\/BCOM-Orchestra-protocols-.pdf\">BCOM Orchestra protocols<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Preparation<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You are expected to have learned your part before the first rehearsal. If you are a principal player, it is also advised to study the scores so at least you have a sense of when to play. Listening to recordings is useful but only to a degree, as there is no guarantee tempi will be the same, even with a recording by the same conductor!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Music will be posted well in advance on the Google Classroom site. Confer with Viktor Toth if you would like to have the actual part before the first rehearsal .<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bring your necessary mutes (String players please have the kind that attaches to your strings) and pencils!!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need a particular chair please work this out with the stage crew and Hsiao-Fang at least 15 mins prior to the rehearsal. If you can\u2019t make this request at least 15 mins before the rehearsal, we will have to wait until the break to help.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Rehearsals<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generally the stage is open 30 minutes before rehearsal starts. You are welcome to practice your orchestra parts, write in fingerings and bowings etc. at that time. No solos\/ concerti or other orchestra excerpts that\u2019s not on the current concert program etc!!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You should be in your seat at least 5 minutes before downbeat.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Tuning<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Arrive promptly for rehearsal, with plenty of time to unpack your instrument and warm up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BCCO tunes to A 440.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Only tune, and softly,\u00a0 during the tunings; no warming up or practicing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In general try to warm up at a reasonable volume so that your colleagues may do the same.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Ensemble<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enjoy taking on different roles, as leaders and section players. Creating a supportive community within and without your section will help build your team, And pay off musical benefits!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There is a chain of command from conductor to principal player to section.. If you have a question the principal May be able to ask the maestro\/maestra if it is urgent, otherwise wait til the break.. Section players should address questions to their leader..<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Erica, Leonardo and Emanuel are in the audience to help with balance, note issues, etc.\u00a0 Feel free to be in touch with us. Occasionally we will send notes to a section with some observations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No foot tapping!!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sectionals are Not to learn notes, but to work on style and ensemble!!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Parts may be taken home, but it is also advised to have a method whereby you have a practice part with fingerings etc., so you can transfer these to the real part, or bowings to your practice part.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Treat everyone with the respect you hope to be treated with yourself.. If you are exhausted after a long day, hide your yawn behind your hand or instrument. And try to get engaged; the more you are into the music the more energy you will get back from the experience!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Strings specific<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">String players note that the standard is to write fingerings on top of the note if you are an outside player, bottom if you are an inside player.\u00a0 Inside player always turns the pages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">String players don\u2019t be a stand hog, and inside players work out with your stand partner when they would like the page turned. This is especially important for assistant principals, but really for all.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">String principal players depending on the program you may need to create bowings for some pieces; please confer with Erica and Viktor about this.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">String players pass along bowings as needed to the stand behind you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Conductors<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Listen and note what the conductor is saying at all times, even if you do not play at that particular spot. This musical decision may affect something elsewhere in the piece. You are encouraged to bring scores, especially if you are not involved in one or more movements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stop when the conductor stops!!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If there is a question for the conductor, always start with \u201cMaestro(a),\u201d if you are a section player the question needs to go through the principal player; it is not standard protocol for a section player to address the conductor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In order to keep the rehearsal moving along it is recommended to save most questions for the break or after rehearsal, if that is possible. The artistic team will be more than happy to answer a note or balance question, or arrange for you to meet with the maestro\/a if that is the best solution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>General<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Never leave the stage during a rehearsal, unless it is a true medical emergency. Use breaks for bathroom use, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No phones, books or magazines on stage, and I Pads are to be used for reading a full score only.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Only water in a closed container on stage, except for reed cups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Posture is very important to play well, and in the case of string players to convey back the specific energy and mood of a piece. Please refrain from crossing your legs or slumping. If you are having trouble getting comfortable you can talk to the stage crew about getting a different chair. (Also feel free to discuss sitting and playing with Erica if you are a violinist, she has some helpful ideas about this!)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Approach rehearsal with a positive attitude and a will to improve the orchestra\u2019s collective rendering of the work at hand. We all want to make the most of the time we have together making music.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Show respect at all times to your colleagues and the conductor. Be engaged and alert, doing so even if you don\u2019t quite feel like it, it has been proven to create that very state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Needless to say, no chatting, and please avoid distracting your neighbor with foot-tapping, leg shaking, and the like.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even though you think that looking at a player when they have a solo is supportive, it can be unnerving.\u00a0 String players please do not turn around to look at a solo wind player!!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rehearsal dress is casual, but no flip-flops, short shorts, hats or caps on stage unless needed for medical reasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Practice good hygiene, and do not wear perfumes or colognes to rehearsals or performances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Leave all personal items in the designated backstage area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Concerts<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be on time or early to call time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be sure to check the\u00a0 dress code; if you are not sure if your clothes are appropriate check with Hsiao-fang in advance!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tune well Before the concert starts. We tune to A 440.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Follow the concertmaster for standing up when the conductor enters, and sitting down. Be alert to solo and\/or section bows as indicated by the conductor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Stage Crew and BCCO team<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are many people working to make the rehearsals and concerts run smoothly. They Want to help, please be sure in return to treat them with courtesy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Grades<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Grade is based on; Attendance,\u00a0 promptness to rehearsals and concert call times,\u00a0 preparation in auditions and rehearsals, professionalism and courtesy to your colleagues, conductors and team.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Everyone will start your grade with \u201cA\u201d. When you miss one rehearsal unexpectedly (unexcused), your grade will drop down one letter. Therefore, if you have two unexcused absences, you will automatically fail the orchestra. If you are late more than 3 times, your grade will drop down one letter as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/programs\/orchestra-studies-program\/\">back to Orchestra Studies Program page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>back to Orchestra Studies Program page BCOM Orchestra Protocols BCOM Orchestra protocols Preparation You are expected to have learned your part before <span><a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/programs\/orchestra-studies-program\/orchestra-protocols\/\">Read More<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1687,"featured_media":0,"parent":212,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1352","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1352"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1542,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1352\/revisions\/1542"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bard.edu\/conservatory-wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}