Is a music conductor really necessary?

Without a conductor, each musician would resort to his or her own individual opinion. Much of the conductor’s input is during rehearsal when he or she conveys this information to the orchestra.

Do orchestras really need a conductor?

It keeps an orchestra or a choir in time and together. But that’s just the starting point. Most importantly a conductor serves as a messenger for the composer. It is their responsibility to understand the music and convey it through gesture so transparently that the musicians in the orchestra understand it perfectly.

Can music be performed without a conductor?

Many contemporary classical music ensembles also regularly perform without a conductor.

Do musical conductors do anything?

The conductor is there to bring a musical score to life, communicating their own highly refined sense of the work through an individual language of gestures, which might sculpt the musical line, tease out nuances, emphasise certain musical elements while controlling others, and essentially re-imagine an old piece anew.

Do musicians watch the conductor?

One of the visual pleasures of a live orchestral concert is watching the conductor and seeing what kinds of gestures he makes and what difference, if any, those make to what you hear the orchestra doing. Some conductors make a great show on the podium but to little effect; others’ every move is reflected in the music.

What happens when there is no conductor?

Without a conductor, each musician would resort to his or her own individual opinion. Much of the conductor’s input is during rehearsal when he or she conveys this information to the orchestra.