Marking for Mastery: How to Study Your Scores Efficiently

For the high school ensemble director, the rehearsal process doesn't start when the bell rings. It starts hours, weeks, and

perhaps even months earlier, when the director first opens up the score for a serious study session. With classes to teach, calls to make, and forms to fill out, score study can often get shortchanged, so an efficient and effective method is mandatory, one that yields tangible results in the classroom.

How does this composition work? What is the structure? What are the critical musical components? What rhythms will I need to focus on with my students and what will come naturally? When will I need to practice conducting passages and how might I try to explain a tricky musical concept that is new to my kids? We'll look at ways to answer these questions quickly and get rehearsals started on the right foot.

We will look at a variety of score marking techniques and other score study methods that will help directors quickly learn the structure, identify passages that will need attention in rehearsal, track critical structural and stylistic elements, and contribute to rehearsals that are efficient, centered, fluid, and fun!