As a music ensemble director, you have one of the most important roles in helping make musical performances exceptional. You’re constantly being tested by challenging pieces of music and high expectations set forth by your students and audience members—not to mention managing day-to-day operations with travel plans along the way. With that in mind, it’s essential for someone like you to stay organized and know how to manage trips so that everything comes together perfectly on each performance night.
1. Make Sure You Have a Well-Stocked Music Bag
Any ensemble director travelling away from home must prepare a well-stocked music bag. It should contain folders filled with the appropriate pieces of music as well as extra pens and other tools or materials needed for rehearsals, performances, or meetings.
Packing a music bag in advance helps minimize chaos and stress on the day of an event or concert and ensures all necessary components are there when needed. Creating good organizational habits such as this not only keeps the director prepared but also set a good example for those under their charge about being diligent and professional in their roles.
2. Establish a Travel Routine
Establishing a travel routine during choir performance tours can be integral to enjoying the experience. With so many different places to explore, it makes sense to plan to stay organized and focused during the trip. Setting certain points of time for getting enough sleep and engaging in physical activity can help maintain energy levels throughout the tour. The benefits of being prepared also mean you have more free time to savour different sights and sounds along the way. An effective routine should also include regularly updating contact information, especially if leaving behind family and friends.
3. Research in Advance
Research is essential for any performance, particularly when travelling with a music ensemble. Studying venues, schedules, and other resources before departure can help ensure a successful performance. There are a lot of things to consider when planning your performance, such as the amount of time needed for rehearsals and sound checks, cost of product and equipment rentals, sound system requirements and availability of usage at the venue, local guidelines or restrictions with respect to noise levels, etc. By adequately researching all available resources in advance, you can be well-versed in what is needed for your performance’s success, minimizing the chances of surprises or hiccups during the virtual tour.
4. Stay Connected
As a music ensemble director, staying connected is integral to travelling. Even though being away makes it more difficult to maintain regular contact with the whole group, a leader can still offer support and guidance through email and phone conversations.
Furthermore, social media platforms provide great ways to stay in touch with everyone and share ideas or thoughts quickly and easily. The group’s morale will be kept high by having frequent interactions and exchanges with each other.
5. Utilize Technology
With cutting-edge technology, travel can be dramatically improved to make life easier for music enthusiasts. Google Maps, for example, makes it incredibly simple to find your way around any area you are unfamiliar with – so you don’t have to waste time getting lost in unknown locations.
There are also various apps that can help musicians stray away from the monotony of traditional rehearsals and teaching methods. For instance, apps like Dubsmash and Groove allow you to record yourself playing music over a background beat, and learning systems like Yousician offer an immersive experience for learning and practising instruments anywhere you go.
6. Prioritize Safety
Safety should always be the number one priority when travelling with a group. An emergency plan is essential for peace of mind when out and about. Before leaving, the itinerary and roles each person takes on should be communicated clearly to everyone involved.
Additionally, each member should have access to a list of contact numbers for local authorities that can help in emergencies. By taking these extra precautions before departure, unexpected obstacles can be managed swiftly while minimizing risk and ensuring that everyone’s travel experience is as safe and incident free as possible.
7. Have Fun
Exploring a new city with your music ensemble is an amazing experience. You get to perfect the musical pieces you’ve been playing together and have the exciting opportunity to discover unfamiliar foods, cultures, and customs.
You can explore fascinating architecture, stroll through beautiful parks and gardens, and sightsee natural wonders. Make sure to take photos of your experiences so that when you look back on them in the future, you’ll be able to bring those memories vividly to life.
Conclusion
Being a successful music ensemble director is a challenging feat. It requires good organization and a great ability to balance the travel element and the actual conducting job. Taking the time to plan, staying focused on the task, and having a little fun along the way are all essential for excellent travel etiquette.