DS and his viola improv

[Rhonda in TX]

DS plays the viola and is in a homeschool orchestra. I've known in the past, from watching him in rehearsal, that he will play somebody else's part if he is a bit lost in the music. The kid definitely has an ear for music.

They had their concert last night. He and DD (cello) were placed next to each other on the stage. DH was kidding around with them after the performance, asking them how many times they messed up. DD informs us that DS "played things that weren't there". They played Pomp & Circumstance and DS added something that wasn't in their version of it, but is in the full score. He said "it just didn't sound right without it". Aye yi yi! We didn't notice, so maybe no one else did, either.

What's funny is that DH and I had JUST been discussing how playing with a group is good for him because he has to fit in and do what the group does. :tongue_smilie:

[Jean in Newcastle]

That sounds like the kind of thing the conductor should address. I mean, the conductor should know their score backwards and forwards, right?! And the conductor should be working on teamwork- everyone doing their part to the best of their ability that comes together to make the finished sound. (I used to be a choir director).:nopity:

[Rhonda in TX]

That sounds like the kind of thing the conductor should address. I mean, the conductor should know their score backwards and forwards, right?! And the conductor should be working on teamwork- everyone doing their part to the best of their ability that comes together to make the finished sound. (I used to be a choir director).:nopity:

I'm not sure that he had done this in rehearsals. I'm also not sure that he played loudly enough for the conductor to hear. DD was sitting right next to him and she's not sure anybody else heard it.

I will say, however, that I wish this conductor did more to make sure DS was doing the right thing. He's not a discipline problem, but you should see how he sits sometimes, and the conductor rarely says anything. I guess I need to tell him to get on to DS more about things like that.

[CLHCO]

That sounds just like something my son would do. He was getting so bored at his last group recital (violin) because the music wasn't at all challenging so he was making up double stop chords, harmonies, etc.

On the one hand, I think that shows a very fine talent and creativity.

On the other hand, a light discussion about playing as a group and everyone doing their part is important. The director has the right to decide when something else is missing or if a new part can be included, not the random musicians, even if they do a "good job" of it. It's as much an issue of etiquette and authority in this situation.

I imagine simply telling him he really needs to check with the director before going off and doing his own thing would be enough. Group playing is a process. Kids really don't always know what the rules are.

[Rhonda in TX]

That sounds just like something my son would do. He was getting so bored at his last group recital (violin) because the music wasn't at all challenging so he was making up double stop chords, harmonies, etc.

On the one hand, I think that shows a very fine talent and creativity.

On the other hand, a light discussion about playing as a group and everyone doing their part is important. The director has the right to decide when something else is missing or if a new part can be included, not the random musicians, even if they do a "good job" of it. It's as much an issue of etiquette and authority in this situation.

I imagine simply telling him he really needs to check with the director before going off and doing his own thing would be enough. Group playing is a process. Kids really don't always know what the rules are.

I'm sure that's part of it. We did discuss why this is not appropriate, but orchestra is now over for the year, so it's not something we'll face again until fall. We will discuss it again before it starts up again.