It's called "meter." The conductor is signaling speed and dynamic, and performers who have rehearsed with the conductor and know their music will be looking for cues from him/her out of the corner of their eye.
FReegards!
What is the purpose of the conductor with the wand when all the musicians are focusing on their instruments and the sheet music?
They are focused upon the music, the instrument, and the conductor. It’s kind of a three-way tie.
The largest band I have ever “fronted” was seven pieces. It’s quite a juggling act to get the horn section and back-up vocalist to come in at the right time. Being the bass player had the advantage of being loud and steady which helped.
In an orchestra of 90+ musicians, each musician only has his part on the music in front of him, and the conductor is the only one with the entire score. The musicians have to count the measures (the number of which is noted on the sheet music) until their next part comes up.
The conductor is not only counting time, he is controlling the dynamics, tempo, signalling the various musicians to come in, etc. But even so, the individual musician HAS to count the measures so they won’t get caught unaware.
I was once at a performance of Symphonie Fantastique, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, where the percussionist somehow LOST the count and came in with the ‘Dies irae” on tubular bells HALF A BEAT LATE.
He caught up, but Leonard probably had him drawn and quartered after the performance.
Just remember...Old Musicians never die.
they just go from bar to bar.
It's called "meter." The conductor is signaling speed and dynamic, and performers who have rehearsed with the conductor and know their music will be looking for cues from him/her out of the corner of their eye.
FReegards!
Great question.
They always see him. You learn to have very good peripheral vision when playing so you don’t miss your cues.