Believe in yourself wrong note was played, you had to know who did it and it better be right. If you weren’t exactly sure, you couldn’t call someone out on it. You had to own it if you wanted to correct someone in front of their peers. It is very humbling to learn in front of an orchestra. You have to be willing to be seen, exposed. It can be really scary.” Since that time, Marlene has built a long and impressive conducting resume. She helped establish and conduct the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica, was an assistant conductor for the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, conducted concerts for the Rochester (NY) Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic, Grand Teton Music Festival ( Jackson Hole WY), Virginia Arts Festival and for the Pro Musica Series in Kansas City. Currently, she is the music director of the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra (WSO) in the Twin Cities. When asked about her experience as a woman conductor, she spoke rather candidly. “In general, I don’t feel any prejudice against me,” she replies. “Once you prove yourself, musicians are all over it. It’s not a gender thing at that point. Women offer a vulnerability (to conducting) that men don’t or won’t. It’s organic to us; we’re willing to show vulnerability and sensitivity. That said, if a conductor bends too much on what they demand from the piece or of the players, they will eat you alive. With time, I’ve honed my reasons to defend what I want. I believe male conductors don’t have to do that as much. Balancing what I want on the podium with what other people think should be happening is tough sometimes. It’s a delicate line to walk!” When she conducts family concerts, however, she chooses to distinguish herself from her fellow colleagues in
“Women offer a vulnerability (to conducting) that men don’t or won’t.” a unique way. Marlene loves colorful, long coats with flowing sleeves for easy movement. “Why not be colorful?” she smiles. Her favorite coat was handmade by her aunt. “It has all the instruments beaded on it. She was a big supporter of mine so it is very special.” One of her favorite aspects of her job at the WSO is programming. “My goal is to create an experience people cannot curate on their digital device. There’s access to so much digital music these days that creating a unique live music event is really important,” stresses Marlene. “I also want to be the orchestra that doesn’t behave normally, that does things outside the box. At one concert, we had an accordion
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Marlene likes colorful jackets. Her favorite is one made by her aunt with beaded instruments all over it.