Orchestral Seating Arrangements

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from an old friend with a question about orchestral seating arrangements. I wrote a rather extensive response and thought that some of you may be interested in my thoughts. So, I have copied it below. I welcome your comments.
Peace.
Scott

Hey Scott! I hope that you are enjoying your summer. I have a question and I thought that maybe you'd have some good input. Can you shed some light on the various orchestra string arrangements? I've been having long discussions about it and I would like some more input. What I mean by that is I see the following set ups and I would like your input.

1st-2nd-Vla-Cello

1st-2nd-Cello-Vla

1st-Cello-Vla-2nd

Thanks

I have actually tried all of these. I think they can all be effective in various settings.

The following is from the Wikipedia Entry on String Orchestra Seating:
The most common seating arrangement is with first violins, second violins, violas and cellos clockwise around the conductor, with basses behind the cellos on the right.[2] In the 19th century it was standard[3] to have the first and second violins on opposite sides (violin I, cello, viola, violin II), rendering obvious the crossing of their parts in, for example, the opening of the finale to Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony.

If space or numbers are limited, cellos and basses can be put in the middle, violins and violas on the left (thus facing the audience) and winds to the right; this is the usual arrangement in orchestra pits.[4] The seating may also be specified by the composer, as in Béla Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta which uses antiphonal string sections, one on each side of the stage.

I have reverted to the traditional 1st-2nd-Vla-Cello at this point in my conducting life - most because I have a set of gestures that seem to be most effective with that set up.

Having 2nds on the left outside seems to bring them into a more prominent role, but the downside is that they are sort-of set up for their sound to go backwards into the stage. It is good, however to get the fundamentals that are being played by cello/bass into the middle of the orchestra. Everyone seems to tune differently/better with them in there.

The other set up - with the violas on the outside/left grows from a string quartet set-up. Same deal though - the viola sounds tend to get swallowed up, in my opinion. It is hard enough to get their sound out there. I would only use this if I was doing string quartet literature with a string ensemble - like a Mozart Divertimento or something.

It is funny - because I was working at a camp this summer where another conductor was using the set up with the 2nds on the left and I felt the ensemble was really lacking between the 1sts and 2nds. Anyway, I sort of revisited the arrangement issue and, again, decided that the traditional arrangement works best for me.

I don't like switching around, especially when conducting difficult literature, because I throw cues to the wrong place. Also, if I used one of the other set-ups in my orchestra and then go to guest conduct with a traditional arrangement, it is easy to get confused and I just don't like that. I want my gestures to be accurate and predictable from the first rehearsal.

I hope this helps.
Take care!!
Scott

MS Bike Tour Event

Dear friends,

I am raising money again this year for the National MS Society. By now, most of you know that I have been doing this for several years and this will be the 5th year of sponsoring a team from NCSSM. Following last year's event, we had raised over $42,000 in the 4 years of team sponsorship at NCSSM. I am, obviously, very proud of that number. This cause is one that is near to my heart as my wife, Barbra, was diagnosed with MS in 1997, shortly after my oldest son, Matt was born. Since that time, her health has really been fantastic and we have been blessed with 2 more healthy boys. Barbra has truly been the beneficiary of the dollars that have been raised for MS research and has had great success with the medications that are available today as a result of that research.

This year, due to a schedule conflict between the MS Society rides in New Bern and Tanglewood and our NCSSM Family Day, I decided to organize and run our own MS bike Tour Event at NCSSM. It will be on September 19-20 and will involve a ride from NCSSM to Spruce Pine Lodge, in Bahama, NC. We will have bike routes of 25, 50, and 75 miles for our riders on Saturday, camp out overnight, and return to NCSSM on Sunday morning. Several local businesses are helping us out with supplies and funding. For example, I just had an exciting meeting with the folks at Whole Foods. They are excited about our event and really stepping up to help us out.

Please consider sponsoring me and making a donation to the National MS Society through me. It is really easy to do on-line.

For those of you around the Triangle, if you would like to volunteer that weekend or ride in the event, we have a spot for you, too. In addition, we will be sponsoring a bike safety course on the first morning of the the event. Families are welcoe to attend that as well. Just drop me a note and I'll give you more information.

I truly appreciate your friendship and support. So many of you have contributed to this cause over the years and it means so much to me. Thanks for all that you do and thanks for considering supporting me and the National MS Society again this year!
Sincerely,
Scott

Professor Uses Math to Decode Beatles Tunes

This one is for my Math/Music friends. I have posted a link to this interesting article.
Enjoy.

Professor Uses Math to Decode Beatles Tunes

Related handout/pdf

Peace.
Scott

NCSSM Fine Arts Series Dates and Performances

Hi all! It is my pleasure to announce the 2009-2010 NCSSM Fine Arts Series Events. All performances are in the NCSSM Educational Technology Center located on Maryland Avenue in Durham, NC unless otherwise noted and, as always, are free of charge. We look forward to seeing you at one of our wonderful fine arts events!

NCSSM Fine Arts Series, 2009-2010

• Fall Drama Production, October 23-25,
7:00 pm shows on Friday and Saturday
3:00 pm show on Sunday,
featuring Art Exhibit Opening Friday, October 23, 6:00-8:00. Exhibit
runs from October 23-Nov 20

• Fall Orchestra Pops Concert, October 31, 3:00 PM

• Fall Wind Ensemble Concert, featuring Durham School of the Arts Music Department , November 1, 3:00

• Bach and Beyond: Redefining the Harpsichord, 3 Harpsichords, 2 Composers, 1 Unveiling , featuring Beverly Biggs, Elaine Funaro, and Rebecca Pechefsky, November 12, 7:30 pm

• Tejasvii Bharat: Indian Dance Masterclass and Recital with Nina Dash and NCSSM Dance Ensemble , December 5, 2009

• Winter Wind Ensemble Concert January 24, 2010, 3:00 PM

• Masterworks Concert, featuring NCSSM Orchestra and Chorale with Blacknall Church Choir
Featuring Missa Brevis in D major, Mozart K 194; Dona Nobis Pacem from the B Minor Mass, Bach; Tragic Overture, Brahms; and Iridium, Jack Stamp

February 6, NCSSM, 7:00 PM
February 7, 7:00 PM, Blacknall Church

• Winter Musical February 12-14, 2010
7:00 Show on Friday and Saturday
3:00 Show on Sunday

• Eastern Regional Orchestra, Feb 26-28, Concert: Feb 28, 3:00

• Spring Dance Recital, April 10, 2010, 3:00 pm

• NCSSM Jazz at Broad Street Café, April 10, 2010, 5:00 pm

• Pulsoptional – May 7-8

• Spring Choral/Vocal Department Mother's Day Recital, May 9, 3:00 PM
Featuring NCSSM Chorale and Voice Students

• Spring Drama Production: A Weekend of Shakespeare, May 14-16, 2010
7:00 Show on Friday and Saturday
3:00 Show on Sunday

• Art Exhibit Opening, Friday May 14, 6:00-8:00, ETC Lobby
Show runs – May 14-June 4

• NCSSM Annual Concerto Concert, May 16, 2010, 2:00

• Spring Wind Ensemble Concert, May 16, 2010, 4:30

Arlington Echo String Camp

This week, I am conducting at the Arlington Echo String Camp in Anne Arundel County, MD. It is a fantastic camp that is run by the Anne Arundel Co. Schools. The kids are string players that range in age from 6th grade through high school. There are so many cool things about this camp that I hardly know where to start.

Let's start here. One of the coolest features of the camp is that the string teachers from the AA schools are the primary teachers and counselors at the camp. They live with the kids all week. they stay in the cabins, eat with the kids, play with the kids, make music with the kids, and fully participate in the entire experience. What a wonderful mentoring opportunity it is for these students. I don't think I had any experienc e like that with my teachers as a kid. Here anther thing: they are all happy to be there. The teachers, that is. there is such a genuine enthusiasm for music, kids, and community that is demonstrated every day, by every teacher, counselor, and staff member.
You may ask yourself, "How does this happen?" The answer is simple. Community. The answer is also complex. Leadership, environment, attitude, love, caring, selflessness, support, commitment. Of course, I am forgetting many others.

I am out of time for now, but I am really enjoying myself and happy to be here. This is really a great camp and I am pleased to be part of it.

Rehearsals are going great and it will be a fantastic concert on Friday. It has been a great week.

Peace.
Scott

Are You a Pilgrim or a Tourist?

It has been an interesting weekend for me. Two of of the events of the weekend have reached an interesting confluence and I would like to share some of my thoughts with you.

As I said in my post yesterday, I have been at the Festival for the Eno all weekend. I have seen a number of fine bands and had a really good time. One band that particularly struck me was the Chapel Hill indy rock band, Lost in the Trees. More on them in a minute.

This morning, I was sitting in church and the pastor encouraged the congregation to consider whether they are a tourist or a pilgrim. A pilgrim is invested in their journey. They are on a mission and are living every move they make. The pilgrim doesn't know exactly what tomorrow will bring, but is honest in their motives, accepting whatever tomorrow may bring. A tourist, on the other hand, uses a guide book, follows the map, and generally gleans what they can, but does so without significant risk or investment. They have specific expectations, but don't really take a significant risk.

As I sat and thought about this metaphor, my mind drifted back to Lost in Trees. This group of young adults are definitely pilgrims. As I watched them play their set at The Festival for the Eno, I could sense their investment. Each one of the members are fine musicians in their own right. The band includes 13 members: lead singer and acoustic guitarist Ari Picker, mandolin, bass, drums,4 piece brass section, and a 5 piece string section. Many in the group double on other instruments which include glockenspiel, accordion, percussion instruments, and others. This music is honest. The lyrics are honest, the songwriting is honest, the performance is honest. These folks are invested in their journey. I just love watching them play. Their friendship is evident on stage. Their investment and caring for each other and the integrity of the music is evident from the minute they walk on stage.

The word honest kept coming to my mind as I watched them. And, I must say, that is always my goal when I play. I want to be honest. I want my music to be an honest expression of my heart, my emotions, my soul. I might not be the most virtuosic player, but I can be the most honest. I can also be the most honest teacher. I feel like that investment, that honesty, is the key to expression and impact.

I don't want to be a tourist teacher or musician. We have all had tourist teachers. They use the guidebook. They go through the motions, give the facts, and maybe even effectively get the point across. The problem is, they aren't invested.

Think about the best teacher you have ever had. Were they honestly invested in the process, in the material, in you? Of course they were. They were a pilgrim. They had a mission. Now think of your favorite musician or band. Were they giving you and honest expression of their heart the last time you heard them play? Were they invested in the music, the communication, the performance? Of course they were. They are a pilgrim musician. That is why you were drawn to them. That is why I am drawn to Lost in the Trees. They are pilgrims.

Who are some other pilgrim musicians. Of course there are many that I could name. The two big ones that come to mind for me are jazz violinist, Christian Howes and virtuosic mandolinist, Mike Marshall. Both of these magnificent artists get right to the heart of the music. They get right to the heart of the humanity. They are honest. They are invested fully. They are pilgrims. In fact, many times over the years, when someone has asked me about Chris Howes or MIke Marshall, I have described both of them as totally honest musicians. It is about the highest compliment that I can give to a musician.

So, today, I encourage you to consider the following: are you a pilgrim or a tourist? Are you invested in your journey? Are you invested in your art? If you are a teacher, are you invested in your mission? I aspire to be a pilgrim. Not every turn will be the best, but I will endeavor to be invested fully. I wish the same for you.

Peace.
Scott

Festival at the Eno

Hi all!

Happy 4th of July weekend!

This weekend, I am spending a great deal of time a the Festival for the Eno. It is an awesome gathering of musicians, artists, and conservationists coming together to enjoy a beautiful place and event together on a very hot weekend. It is always a blast and this weekend should prove to be the same.

This weekend, I am working with the folks at High Strung Music in Durham, a wonderful little string shop that specializes in bowed string instruments, acoustic guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, and other folk instruments, giving daily seminars on violin improv. High Strung really provides a wonderful service at the Festival. They have guitar repair services right on site at the Festival and daily seminars that include, in addition to mine, beatboxing, learn to play the ukelele, open jams, and others. High Strung is centrally located at the festival and really embody the spirit of the event.

My seminar is a very low key introduction to string improv for those that haven't ventured away from the page before, but if a more advanced improviser comes by, I will give them feedback on their playing and tips and tricks that may help them out. And, if folks prefer, my friend and guitarist Adam Sampieri, and I will just play a little bit and talk about the thought process that goes into generating an improvised solo. I am there to represent D'Addario Bowed Strings and Coda Bows, both of which High Strung carries.

One of the highlights of the day for me yesterday was getting to know the guys in the band, Fiddlefoxx. This is a cool little trio of fine musicians from the Boston area. They feature some fine fiddle playing, acoustic guitars and mandolins, and a really good beatboxer on percussion. Their music is influenced by a variety of styles, but reminds me of some of the early Bela Fleck and the Flecktones stuff. It is really cool and I encourage you to check them out. Also, they are available to work with school orchestra programs and I think they would be a super addition to any program. I know that I am going to try to have them in to the NC School of Science and Math at some point to work with my kids. The beatboxer from the band also gave a masterclass on his art and it was really cool. There were a bunch folks there to check it out and he is really a wizard at the mouth percussion!

My family and I also really enjoyed checking out all of the artists' displays and various booths around the festival. We bought some pottery, learned about the new Mountains to Shore trail, played games, ate a ton, and generally had a wonderful time.

The festival runs for 2 more days (July 4, and 5) and totally recommend that come out and check it out. I'll be giving my seminar at 3:00 each day and would love to see you there. I can't think of a better way to spend some time over the holiday weekend.