What do conductors do the night of a show? Haven't the orchestra members pra

Question:don't need any more guidance? They aren't really looking at the conductor any more are they?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: don't need any more guidance? They aren't really looking at the conductor any more are they?

The conductor keeps time. If the orchestra is playing for a musical, then the actors need the conductor to keep them in time with the orchestra, who in turn keep the orchestra in time with the actor. With a number of people playing different instruments, who decides on how fast or slow a piece is to be played? Sometimes there are parts in the music which say something along the lines of 'Repeat until Fred turns'. If half way through a bar, who decides when is the right place to continue the music? The Conductor.

In a perfect wrold yes, but since live performances are not tape recorded things must be modified to accomodate that day's circumstaces, the soprano has a sore throat so the violins need to come up a little more in her solo, the baritone did four shows in a row and is lacking oomph perhaps the percussion can assist.

etc.

Theatre is the proof that Murphy's Law exists, one must be ready for anything.

The conductor is the "clock", as well as the volume control, and he/she also controls other subtle nuances of the performance.

Are you referring to a Pit Conductor in a live musical? Are you referring to the Conductor of a band or orchestral performance?

Either way, the Conductor is the single most important person in the production. S/he sets tempi, volume, mood, color,flavor, nuance, etc. A competent and empathic Conductor is a performer's wet dream.

I have worked with some hacks, and the real problem is that I end up looking like an idiot on stage (missed cues, incorrect tempi, general stumbling) while the Conductor gets a Special during Bows.

A good Conductor is equal in value to a good Stage Manager. Both are pearls beyond price.

And, yes: they are still looking at the Conductor.