I went to see the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela a few weeks ago. And specifically chose to sit in the choir seats (behind the stage), after watching this TED talk on leadership techniques of conductors, as well as knowing the reputation of Gustavo Dudamel (SBSOV's conductor). As an aside if you ever go to The Royal Festival to see a classical concert I'd fully recommend sitting in the choir seats, they're the cheapest in the house, and afford that very rare view of a conductor in action.
One thing you quickly pick up when watching an orchestra from behind, and seeing the work a conductor does is the sheer encouragement they give to the entire orchestra. You could argue that it is their sole task in fact. And in turn you quickly realise the importance of that encouragement to the collective orchestra.
I also recent read an article on PlanB's creative journey. In it he recalls the early encouragement he received as a child, and how that influenced in early creative motivation.
"When I was a kid I used to love drawing, and whenever I'd bring my mum a drawing – and I remember some of the drawings, and they're fucking shit – she'd just shower me in praise. 'Wow! It's amazing! Put it on the fridge.' And then I would rush through to the living room and do another one, because I wanted that reaction again."
It then becomes very easy to relate this to his own approach to sharing his own achievements with others, sheer encouragement. Have a watch of his recent BBC Hackney Project to see what I mean. Towards the end you'll even see him taking the conductors position during performances (although slightly off centre and with less hand gestures).
Sometimes the best motivation is a motivator, believe it or not.
We were 5 miles into a 10-mile Alpine hike when John plopped down amid a field of wildflowers
Posted by: Christian Louboutin Shoes | November 28, 2012 at 12:34 AM