Take The Reins

What happens in a conductorless concert?

Combining the demands of chamber music with the precision of large scale symphonic repertorie, this special artistic exploration (on stage June 7) allows NOI+F’s young artists to craft their own interpretation. It ignites artistic ownership many have never experienced. “The concert opened a window that helped me find confidence and pride in my playing,” says Shannon Lock, who served as a concertmaster for Benjamin Britten’s Suite on English Folk Tunes,” in NOI+F’s 2018 unconducted concert.

Shannon Lock, NOI+F '18

Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Faculty advisors, including bassoonist Frank Morelli, from New York’s Orpheus Chamber Orchestra typically kick off the process with an introductory session about artistic decision-making, collaborative communication and even conflict resolution. Based in Carnegie Hall, the Grammy-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performs without a conductor and instead rotates artistic direction for each performance. In 2019, Frank Morelli, who has played with Orpheus for more than 40 years, will guide the performance.

To participate in “Take the Reins,” players must learn the score beyond their individual part to successfully create a unified sound. This kind of orchestral experience allows all members of an ensemble, from the concertmaster to the musicians sitting in the last row to be active participants. Why is this program an important part of the National Orchestral Institute curriculum?

Timothy MacDuff, NOI+F ' 18

Photo by Geoff Sheil

“Take the Reins” plays a crucial role in developing leadership skills needed to professionally excel in every ensemble setting: from a fourplayer string quartet, to a 12-player orchestral section leader, to a 90-player symphonic concertmaster (learn about concertmasters on p. 14). Musicians in these settings rely on musical and physical cues to communicate phrasing, tempo and articulation, all of which usually fall on a conductor.

“Take the Reins showed us that NOI+F’sfaculty and leadership genuinely trustedour artistic instincts,” shares Lock.“Knowing that these seasoned artisticprofessionals believed we were fullycapable of accomplishing this degree ofleadership was inspiring and empowering.”