What do you think is the job of the MD?
This is a huge topic and I will just briefly touch upon a few individual points. A good musical director wears many hats and has to balance them all.
Being an MD requires a lot of multitasking such as leadership, organisation, repertoire selection, administration, mediation, motivation, diplomacy, communication, vocal technique coaching , patience, rehearsing and being all things to all people with the aim of improving the choir as a whole.
Leadership
The choir has to respect their MD as without that nobody will listen, take on board what they say and improve. How does an MD gain respect? Through their interpersonal and technical skills, the way they conduct rehearsals and how they make members feel during a rehearsal. Leadership isn’t always easy especially when the choir contains a lot of members. A smaller choir is easier to manage as the MD can personally get to know each singer. An MD must be firm, fair and encourage and reward effort. Feedback they give must be constructive and positive.
Repertoire selection
It is always difficult to know what the choir will want to sing, they will know what the choir will be able to sing, and to consider what an audience might like to hear. They will try to blend styles and have pieces that are easy, a little harder and some that require a lot more effort to learn.
Vocal technique
The MD will be a singer themselves, to some degree, and will understand what technical instructions will help the choir sing better. One MD I know is a wonderful singer and conductor yet he would never ever sing a solo unless as a fill in during a rehearsal.
Motivation
This is complex as what motivates one will not motivate another; knowing what to use with each person or group of people requires great skill. Telling somebody they are great when they are not, and they know they are not, is anything but motivating and can create a loss of respect.
No doubt you can think of many more hats that the MD must wear and balance in order to be considered a good MD and bring about the best in the choir.
Exercise
Compare and contrast the different MD’s of any choirs you sing in. What do you like about them, what could they do better?
