April 2011

Years ago an experiment was tried using a professional orchestra without a conductor in a performance. The results were mixed, but the consensus was that the performance lacked cohesiveness, excitement and emotion and was not musically satisfying for both musicians and listeners.

The role of a conductor is multi-faceted. An experienced conductor will have an extensive knowledge of the musical literature that is appropriate to the ensemble. The conductor’s “instrument” is the ensemble.

Choosing Music:
The conductor must choose the repertory that will be prepared for performance. Research and score-study is vital to ensure the music is suitable and playable for the ensemble. A good conductor asks: Does the music have intrinsic worth? Will the listener both enjoy it and learn something from hearing the piece? (In other words, does the music have aesthetic value?) Will the players enjoy working on the piece and will it be of value in improving their own musicianship? Will the conductor, be able to impart meaning, emotion and sensitivity to the musicians through teaching and conducting? There are, of course, other factors involved but the above are paramount.

Rehearsing:
Basic and preliminary to rehearsing an ensemble is recruiting and assembling the ingredients of the band, orchestra or chorus. Once the proper instrumentation or voices are acquired rehearsing the music can begin. When it is appropriate to a certain era and style of performance a brief account of the cultural, historical and personal (composer) significance of the work to be studied is often helpful.

What a listener sees is a conductor waving his arms, using body language, facial expressions, gestures, etc. This is all designed to keep the ensemble together, indicate relative volume, set the tempo (pace) of the work, and a myriad of other intricacies that the music demands. A good conductor will set ground rules for rehearsing, including musicians being punctual, arriving prepared—having practiced the music at home, being focused ready to work and being responsive and attentive.

Education:
Almost always a conductor is a graduate of an accredited college or university or a music conservatory such as, Juilliard or the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. The vast majority of school conductors are graduates of music departments from state and private universities.

The curriculum consists of a regular music major course of study including: theory, musicianship, history, literature and conducting courses. Usually the conducting candidate takes courses in both instrumental and choral conducting. It is very helpful for the instrumental conducting student to have a working knowledge of all the instruments in the band or orchestra ensemble.

The choral candidate should have an extensive knowledge of the vocal mechanism including the anatomy and physiology of vocal production. Study of proper diction and pronunciation of foreign languages is also essential.

Being a musical conductor is a very satisfying career, whether in a teaching/conducting position in all levels of education or with a professional band, orchestra or chorus. The main function of the conductor is to motivate and direct the musicians to play together, in tune, with proper blend, balance and emotion. We want more than correct notes and rhythms; we want the musicians and the listening audience to have an inspired and enjoyable musical experience.

Danville Community Band
Spring Concert June 12, Sunday, 3:00 p.m.
Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

Q. Tom, I bought a nice home in San Ramon near the top of the market in late 2006; due to the drop in prices and the minimal down payment at the time, I now owe much more money on the mortgage than what the home is worth. Would I be considered a good candidate for a short sale?

It depends. First of all, I’m happy to report that many more short sales are culminating in closed sales than was the case a year ago–that’s good news! However, to qualify the homeowner must still verify to their lender that making the mortgage payment constitutes a financial hardship. Other qualifying considerations are the number of outstanding loans you have (a 1st, a 2nd or more), which specific lenders hold the notes (some are more cooperative than others) and also the dollar difference between what you owe and the market value of the property—all of which factor into the probability of a successful short sale. If you are thinking of going the short sale route, I recommend that you take the time to consult the following three professionals:

1. A CPA and/or financial advisor to outline the tax consequences of a short sale.
2. A real estate attorney to explain the legal ramifications of a short sale and the other options available including foreclosure, a deed in lieu of foreclosure or loan modification.
3. A full-time Realtor® with solid short sale credentials. Keep in mind, you usually only have one shot at a successful short sale, so my best advice is to hire a qualified Realtor who has the resources you will no doubt need every step of the way.

Q. It’s April and the weather is beautiful yet I don’t see the usual number of for-sale signs around town. Isn’t this supposed to be one of the best times of the year to sell and buy a home?

Yes. Typically, here in the Diablo Valley, our springtime market from mid-February to the end of May is the most prolific time to buy and sell (the summer months are a close 2nd). However, this year the available home inventory which usually fuels the market and invigorates the buyer interest level has been lower than normal. What does that mean?

It means that for whatever reasons, sellers are not listing their homes and are not coming to market at the same rate as in previous years and buyers have little from which to choose.

I know personally that if I had 10 more listings of homes in above average condition and location, I could practically guarantee to the sellers multiple offers from qualified buyers on many of them. Does that mean prices may go up? No, it means that buyer demand here locally is steady and that the combination of a value-priced home in a highly regarded community with first-rate schools, parks & amenities coupled with attractive mortgage interest rates is still a winning formula. Going back to your initial question–hopefully, available home inventory will significantly increase soon and April & May will prove to be robust sales months to the delight of sellers, buyers and real estate agents alike!

Note: The Contra Costa Association of Realtors® Scholarship Foundation awards approximately $50,000 annually in college scholarships to eligible college students in the Diablo Valley; the 2011 application deadline is April 15th. For more information, email me at tom@tomhart.com or click on www.ccarscholarship.com.

Tom Hart is a practicing Real Estate Broker and a partner at Empire Realty Associates in Danville. He is a Certified Master Negotiator by the University of San Francisco and a Certified Master Strategist by HSM Harvard Program on Negotiation. He is past president of the Contra Costa Association of Realtors (2005) and past president of the Realtors’ Marketing Association of the San Ramon Valley. Tom is in high demand as a speaker & trainer inside & outside the real estate industry.