Ah, the bane of every student's existence - paper writing. Seems like I have been at this discipline forever. Between my 2 degree programs, papers are a constant reality of life. Not that the research isn't interesting - I am learning so much about subjects that I relish. But there are days when I just don't want to make myself sit down and write for someone else's requirements.
Still, this last assignment for my choral conducting class is somewhat different. Write a conductor's analysis for a specific piece I am conducting. Not only should I include bio information about the composer, and perhaps something about the era in which it was written, but a comprehensive theoretical look at the music - you know, tempo, meter, voicing, text etc.
Once that is covered, then I must discuss from the conductor's point of view what issues will need to be addressed with the choir, how to anticipate and defuse any problematic passages, and some ideas about presenting the piece to the choir (rehearsal plans). Lots of work, this getting to know the score business.
Informally, I do this kind of prep with every piece I conduct. Sometimes I make charts and other times, as I read through each part and then each part in conjunction with the other parts, I just jot notes in my score. Oh, I also need to include a marked score to help clarify anything we may be discussing in our paper.
I selected a piece I will be doing in my concert/service - Tavener's setting of the Lord's Prayer, a beautiful inspiring quietness of meditative peace. But once I complete my paper and turn it in, my work will have just begun. Then I need to do the same for all the 20 odd pieces of my concert. Yeah! Sometimes for me.
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