The music director has a lot of different responsibilities that come to play in various parts of the rehearsal process. They’re really responsible for making sure that the music comes to life.
JSK Stories Presents
Who is a music director?
Hi my name is Dallin Baldwin. I’m currently pursuing a doctorate in choral conducting at the University of Notre Dame.
Has music always been a part of your life?
Music has always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing the piano since I was really young. I can remember taking lessons and practicing at home and then giving recitals. When I was in high school, I would accompany the choir and I would also sing in the choir, and I performed in the high school musicals that we would put on. So I always loved music from a young age and theatre, as well.
What are the responsibilities of a music director?
The music director has a lot of different responsibilities that come to play in various parts of the rehearsal process. Starting from the very beginning, the music director will work with the director and other people such as the choreographer or stage manager in the audition process. Often the music director is there at the auditions to hear the singers as they come in to audition and the music director will give feedback when it comes to casting the specific roles. The music director has a very good idea of the ranges of all the characters and will know when a singer comes into an audition if they’ll best fit that role musically and vocally. Then in the rehearsal process itself, once the show’s been cast, they work with the singers and they work with the soloists. They’re sort of a vocal coach. They help teach the music and also teach lots of expressive elements in the music. They’ll help work with the singers on that in coordination with the director. They’re really responsible for making sure that the music comes to life.
Music Director vs. Conductor
The music director and the conductor are two different roles that sometimes can be held by the same person. First of all, the music director mainly helps in the preparation of the music for the performance, they’re involved in the auditions, and involved in the rehearsal process. Then the conductor’s role is during the performances. They conduct the music, they conduct the orchestra or the instrumentalists that are accompanying the show, and as they’re conducting sometimes they’ll give cues to the singers, as well. Now these two roles, like I said, can sometimes be held by the same person, but other times they’re two different people. With the music director, once the rehearsals are done and the show has begun giving performances, then the music director- if they’re not also conducting- might move on to a new project. And the conductor then takes the show and will conduct during performances. So that’s the difference in those two roles and they can be held by the same person sometimes.
What is the hardest thing about being a music director?
In my opinion, the hardest thing about being a music director is the aspect of being a vocal coach to the different performers that you’re working with. Everyone expresses music differently, so you have to sometimes work with them from where they’re coming from. You work with a wide variety of performers and singers with varying backgrounds and music. Some can read music really well, some have amazing ranges, and other things. So you as the music director help the individual singer, give them feedback, and give them tips and pointers on how to best sing certain lines. As a music director you have to try and figure that out and work with the singer, but again it’s so much fun to be collaborative in order to make a beautiful end result together.
What is the most exciting thing about being a music director?
For me one of the most exciting parts of being a music director is when you’re working with the singer and they may be struggling with a certain part, struggling to get the notes, or struggling to reach certain notes, or if it’s at the end of their range. My favorite part is working with them to learn those parts really well so they feel confident and they can sing it well in the performances. Just helping them achieve that is so fulfilling as a music director.
What has been your favorite show to music direct?
My favorite musical to music direct was Aladdin Jr. I worked with these kids at a summer camp and it was so fun to teach them the music. A lot of them obviously knew the songs because it’s from the Disney Aladdin show, but it also had the new songs from the musical so it was really fun to work with them on those. Especially the group numbers, they were all so fun to do.
What is your favorite musical?
There’s lots of musicals that I love and it’s so hard to pick one, but if I had to choose one I would say Les Mis is my favorite musical. First of all, I think the music in it is amazingly composed. It’s so beautiful and the way the themes intertwine is really incredible. I also love the themes in the musical of redemption and forgiveness and the way that the characters develop it in the story. I just think it’s a classic story and it’s really well told through the music.
Advice for future music directors
The best advice I could give to someone who’s wanting to become a music director is to learn as much about music as you can. You need to have good music theory skills, it’s helpful if you can play the piano well, and you need to know how to sing different vocal techniques. So you really need to know a lot about music as a music director because you’re involved in bringing that music to life. You really have to be able to understand music really well and convey that to singers and performers to help them.
Head to jskstories.com/the-who-is-series/ for more background on different theatre roles.
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