Rehearsing – promoting expectations Whether we are managing a football team, a busy office environment, or indeed, a band rehearsal, there comes, with responsibilities, expectations. Good leadership can lift expectations within a group. How do we then promote expectations to a group of musicians? A leader is responsible for promoting expectations and ensuring that the weekly work rate of the group matches: i) the ability of the group Get to know the ability of your group well ii) the use of people’s time Don’t waste people’s time, we are all busy, and rehearsal time should be wisely spent. iii) the use of resources available Choose the right music that will make your time interesting Make demands that are reasonable but that challenge everyone. Promote an expectation from all ability levels: i) tell them when they do well Progress needs to be acknowledged ii) let them know if they can do better Have strategies for improving music; don’t just say ‘it’s not right!’ iii) make it clear what you expect Don’t over complicate instructions – or give too many When problem solving, make instructions clear and offer solutions: i) break things down into smaller units It may then seem less of a big problem when isolated ii) try the music slower Give players a chance to put, and hear the notes, in the correct place iii) build the music up in sections Sometimes useful for one section to hear how they fit the whole
CARE / NURTURE / ACCOUNTABILITY If members of your music group see that you are passionate and that you care about what you are doing, you can expect a greater working relationship with people and a better corporate musical performance. Music is an emotion; therefore people respond / react accordingly. Nurture a sense of accountability in your rehearsals: i) Welcome everyone ii) Announce absentees iii) Give a brief outline of rehearsal to focus their attention Thank people for what they do, remembering they give of their time and effort, often with some measure of sacrifice. Promote good music Promote a good rehearsal ethic Promote expectations