Brian Bowen
Active Member
I’ve noticed that a number of bands appear to have both a music director and bandmaster, e.g. Harrogate (who are well represented on tMP). What do these titles mean and how do they work together? Other bands employ professional conductors and have resident conductors (e.g. Brighouse), while others have just one conductor for virtually all occasions (e.g. Black Dyke).
In SA bands the bandmaster (B/M) is commissioned to virtually oversee the band both musically (rehearse and conduct) and organizationally. However, he/she does have the assistance, usually, of others commissioned as deputy B/M, secretary, sergeant and maybe others. (I’m a bit out of touch with SA procedure so things may have changed in recent years.)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of these different types of leadership?
In SA bands the bandmaster (B/M) is commissioned to virtually oversee the band both musically (rehearse and conduct) and organizationally. However, he/she does have the assistance, usually, of others commissioned as deputy B/M, secretary, sergeant and maybe others. (I’m a bit out of touch with SA procedure so things may have changed in recent years.)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of these different types of leadership?