So you're the new musical director! : an introduction to conducting a Broadway musical / James H. Laster.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Laster, James, 1934-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Musicals--Production and direction.

Musicals.

Physical Description:

ix, 161 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2001.

Summary:

So, You're the New Musical Director! is aimed at the person who has music training but little or no experience with musical theater, the high school choral director with a degree in music education, or the actor participating in community theater productions. It details the duties involved in directing a Broadway musical, including overseeing singer and orchestra rehearsals and conducting the musical itself. The chapters follow the actual progression of musical theater, from a discussion of the production team's responsibilities to the final bow. Filled with photos, illustrations, and examples, So, You're the New Musical Director! is a comprehensive guide that no one involved in musical theater should be without.

Contents:

1 So You're the New Musical Director 1

2 The Production Team 3

3 Selecting the Work 11

4 Auditions 19

Individual Auditions 21

5 Call-Backs 27

Auditions and Call-Backs for Children 29

6 Casting 31

7 Chorus Books/Vocal Parts 33

8 First Music Rehearsal with Cast 37

Schedule 37

Planning for Music Rehearsals 38

Vocal Technique 42

9 Style 45

10 Blocking 51

11 Some Electronic Help 57

12 Dance Numbers 59

13 Rehearsal Pianist 63

14 Run-Through Rehearsal with Cast 67

15 Stop/Go Rehearsal with Cast 69

16 Accompaniment of the Performance 71

17 The Piano/Vocal Score 75

18 String Books 81

19 Reed Books 83

20 Brass, Percussion, and Keyboard Books 87

21 Locating Instrumentalists or The Pit Personnel 91

22 Cuts in the Score 93

23 The First Instrumental Rehearsal 97

24 Conducting 105

25 Pit Placement of Instrumentalists 111

26 Vamp 115

27 Holding It All Together: Transitions 123

Underscoring 123

Applause Segue 124

Play-Off/Bridge 125

Overture and Entr' acte 125

Bows 126

Exit Music 126

28 That "Sticky" Question 129

29 Tech Rehearsal 133

30 Dress Rehearsal 135

31 Performance 139

32 Opening Night 143

33 After the Last Performance 147

34 Is Pit Playing Hack Work? 149

35 Well ... Maybe Next Time 151.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 157-158) and index.

ISBN:

0810840014

OCLC:

45750341