Wayne McGrath is a name known to most musicians.Officially the oldest leader ever (about 36) of the Wanganui Schools Symphony Orchestra in New Zealand,his name is a byword for excellence in the Orchestral world.Some months ago,I was thrilled to receive a message from him with some helpful advice .Then last week (despite changing my address) I received another message.So,now I’ve given up and I’m giving him his own column.
Wayne McGrath Writes (March 2010)
G’day mate from Wayne,leader of the Wanganui Schools Symphony Orchestra New Zealand!Loved the site mate and some really great tips for leading-especially the “day of the concert” stuff!Like ya good self,I’m a bit of a perfectionist so I always cut right back on the grog for the concert day.Just a couple for medicinal purposes if ya know what I mean.You missed out on the best thing about leading, mate-the girls.I’ve had a couple trying to break my Leader’s Room door.I always let them out in the end though.Cheers Wayne
(June 2010)
G’day again mate from Wayne, now officially the oldest ever leader of the Wanganui Schools Symphony Orchestra New Zealand! I reckon that sounds better than telling everyone I’ve got to resit me final exams for the 3rd year running! Anyways, mate, great to be back on the site.
I’m facing a minor disciplinary at the moment for breaking a string during a solo. Admittedly it wasn’t my string. Or my solo either. My no.2 Dave Dooley was playing way too loud in the Grieg Piano slow movement so I slipped his A string with me flicky. Apparently this is ‘unacceptable behaviour in a concert’. I tell you what though mate, the punters loved it. Dave is such a dag! And he’s always trying to upstage me. When we do the semiquavers in Tchaik 6 he always tries to play them louder than me. He’s got no class. I say “Dave, you’re missing the point mate. It’s not how loud you play them, but how fast”. And I win hands down on that one every time. Seriously though mate, what can I do to handle this guy in a non physical way? Cheers Wayne
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Wayne McGrath says:
June 20th, 2010 at 11:03 am
G’day again mate from Wayne, now officially the oldest ever leader of the Wanganui Schools Symphony Orchestra New Zealand! I reckon that sounds better than telling everyone I’ve got to resit me final exams for the 3rd year running! Anyways, mate, great to be back on the site.
I’m facing a minor disciplinary at the moment for breaking a string during a solo. Admittedly it wasn’t my string. Or my solo either. My no.2 Dave ‘The Tool’ Dooley (that’s not his real middle name) was playing way too loud in the Grieg Piano slow movement so I slipped his A string with me flicky. Apparently this is ‘unacceptable behaviour in a concert’. I tell you what though mate, the punters loved it. Dave is such a dag! And he’s always trying to upstage me. When we do the semiquavers in Tchaik 6 he always tries to play them louder than me. He’s got no class. I say “Dave, you’re missing the point mate. It’s not how loud you play them, but how fast”. And I win hands down on that one every time. Seriously though mate, what can I do to handle this guy in a non physical way?
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