

What makes a good musical leader?
I remember a rehearsal just before getting my first full-time orchestra job in which the conductor suddenly indicated a dramatic increase in tempo. The orchestra didn't catch it immediately, and it was ten or twelve measures before everyone was up to speed. Flash forward to that evening's concert. We got to the same spot and the conductor hit the gas. I was ready this time: eyes on him, I locked on to his tempo, anticipating that 70+ other musicians on stage would follow me t