Mastodawn

Becca Jul 16, 2024

I temporarily conducted an orchestra for a month while the conductor was ill. When he passed away I said I couldn't take over full time, so the orchestra disbanded.

In May I quit the community orchestra I'd been conducting for nearly two years, causing them to disband too. It was initially because of the few members turning up to rehearsal but now the relief of not having to do it and all the preparation involved, has made me realise I don't particularly like conducting.

Now I've had another orchestra ask if I'll be musical director (for the second time) because the current one wants to retire. This one's big and well established, 70+ members.

I'm going to say no, because while everyone seems to think I'm good at it, I don't enjoy it, especially the amount of work that goes into it when not doing the actual conducting.

Am I becoming the killer of local orchestras by not wanting to do something that I'm apparently pretty good at, but don't enjoy?

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BashStKid Jul 16, 2024

@beccabadger It is a ton of largely unthanked work, and hard to summon enthusiasm if it drains you.
On the other hand, *if* you can find at least two others to shoulder the admin burden, and give a gimlet stare to whoever is the biggest troublemaker after rehearsals, you’re enabling a terrific thing.

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Becca

@BashStKid They do have a committee dealing with the admin side of the orchestra, but even so it's a heck of a lot of work.

I already play in a concert band and help out wherever required for that, on top of running a small business.

I'm going to be saying no, but I have quite a few connections so will offer to help them find somebody else suitable.