There has been a lively discussion on the issue of stage deportment of musicians in orchestras that has been simmering at the email list of ICSOM (International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians).
One of the best replies came from James Orleans, a double bassist with the Boston Symphony and a faculty member at the New England Conservatory.
Let me know what you think, both as a performing musician and as a concert goer in the comments section below.
Here is the complete response of James:
Karen – Thank you for mentioning the elephant in the room.
“I would like to respectfully suggest that we re-evaluate how we present ourselves onstage for what I’ve heard colleagues describe as “shit concerts”. If a couple thousand kids are bussed in and see bored musicians in rumpled “casual” dress they will not be compelled to follow in our footsteps or follow us to another concert.”
Indeed, how do we expect youngsters to develop an interest in, or be thrilled by something, that does not look like it is at all interesting or thrilling to the participants?
“We need to look and act like professional musicians whenever we’re on stage.”
I, too, have seen much unprofessional stage behavior from symphony musicians; magazine reading and iphones being used by back row players, players turned to each other in conversation while the conductor is speaking to the kids or while another section is playing an example.
American orchestra musicians should re-evaluate how we present ourselves onstage to all our audiences, not just young audiences.
We often act as though there is no one watching us; fail to realize that we are on stage. The odds are quite good that out of 1000 or more people there is a set of eyes directly on each one of us throughout the concert.
The comparison with the stage actor has often occurred to me. Imagine if an actor in a play displayed his boredom with the lines he had to speak every night, and chose to deliver them, on the nights he just wasn’t “feeling inspired”, dragging himself from blocking to blocking, or with obvious weariness, or dis-involvement showing on his face. He would be booed off the stage. Further work for him would be jeopardized. Theater actors do 8 shows a week! They suck up their weariness, their disdain for the lines (or for the director), their physical pains, etc. and put themselves into character. We could embrace a bit of that in our own stage deportment philosophy. It is one thing we can do to help retain audiences that would not cost us a single thing artistically.
Yes, acknowledging applause. We have received letters from audience members who ask why they are applauding a group of performers who look like they couldn’t care less about what just happened. How do we expect to entice first time attendees back for more if that is what they come away with?
In this time when audiences are not growing, indeed dwindling, we need to find more ways to compel them to keep coming, and give new listeners a reason to come back. Revitalizing our stage presence–exhibiting more engagement– is, I think, critical if we want to see a healthy future for this amazing art form.
Jim Orleans
11 replies on “mannequins or musicians?”
I completely agree with this author. We should always act as if everyone is looking at us individually when performing. No phones on stage…geez…in a concert? Do people do that?
I guess they do! I think that phone onstage during rehearsals is also a bad idea, as is playing games on your iPad in the back row.
I absolutely agree! It is an offensive habit.
In my orchestra, the head of the unions cellphone has rung twice in dressrehersals so far this season. He of course vigorously fought and defeated a bid to ban cellphones on stage.
of course, the moronic head of your union should be dismissed. too bad a punk like that has a union behind him. alas . . .
Sadly I see this at almost every concert I attend.
My first reaction to your post, Charles, is to recall a brief interview done with the Metropolitan Opera’s chorus master, Donald Palumbo, which occurred during one of the company’s recent HD movie broadcasts. He spoke directly about how these worldwide broadcasts have affected the chorus’ acting and facial expressions. Before these broadcasts commenced, they generally believed that no one really noticed if they just stood there and sang the words. Now that they *know* people are watching –on a big screen and in HD, no less!– they are a far more animated group.
I take issue with musicians dressing sloppy at rehearsals as well. I’ve seen people show up in pajama bottoms, no shoes, and worn tee shirts as if it was acceptable professional attire. And these are not gig jobs, these are big salary jobs….and when a board member comes in to watch and learn how the orchestra rehearses or whatever, I find it shows musicians in a bad light. Not saying that a 3 piece suit is required, but wouldn’t it be nice to respect colleagues, the position you play, and the job to show up in decent clothes instead of looking like a homeless person? And this goes for conductors too. Sorry, your artistic temperament aside, as the highest paid person on stage, at least leave the running outfit for the gym.
Thank you for sharing this. They are right. Stage presence or mannerism does affect the audience. And I think smiling and acknowledging an applauding audience shows respect to them.
This is absolutely right on. Respecting, appreciating, and acknowledging the audience and the art form and the fact that, for the time being, it’s still possible for the lucky ones among us to make a living from doing this, is part of being a professional.
It is interesting that the author above should choose to write about professionalism on stage. While I agree with everything that he is saying about musicians carryinig themselves as professionals while on stage, I find it ironic that he would be the one writing those words. I have attended concerts in Boston for many years and I have seen Mr. Orleans on stage. He has a very distracting stage presence and he is in fact one of the back row musicians I have seen speaking to colleagues during a performance. That is merely one example of inappropriate behavior on his part as well as on the part of his colleagues. While I do agree that it is important for the musicians on stage to appear engaged and show appreciation to the audience, it is equally important that they not give the impression that they are imploring the audience for individual acknowledgement and accolades. That type of behavior is rather pedestrian and detracts from the majesty of the symphony experience for audience members.
No one is a saint. We have all engaged in this sort of activity from time to time, and it’s often a spur of the moment thing that we regret afterward. I don’t think it’s fair to James to trash his stage deportment in public, unless you’ve never talked, coughed, sneezed, or had an electronic device go off whilst attending years of concerts.