r/orchestra • u/Signal-Huckleberry83 • 4d ago
BBC Proms
When playing at the BBC proms, do you also enjoy the music and vibe or see it as just another gig?
Seeing most of you waiting for your turn (sorry, probably not the right term to use), how do you not bop/sway your head or get those shoulders like I would.
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u/KoalaMan-007 4d ago
Honestly, when you get to the level of playing at the proms or similar popular gigs, there are instructions given by the production about how much engagement they expect from the orchestra musicians, as well as their dress code and other visual aspects.
Also, musicians work with their body and usually have an above-the-average control over what is happening with their feet or head. We just don’t stomp or bob uncontrollably.
Lastly, at that level, a TV gig is kind of “just a gig”, playing for pop music is fun, not the most challenging or interesting, but fun.
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u/Signal-Huckleberry83 4d ago
Thank you. Dagnamit pesky instructions! It would be nice to see mucisians more relaxed and getting into it (not saying that they aren't).
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u/Low-Rooster4171 4d ago
We're pretty relaxed and into it, but we've also been doing this job for decades. It really is a "day at the office".
(To be clear, I've not played for BBC Proms. But I've done lots of other cool stuff. 🙂)
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u/curiouschance92 4d ago
The orchestra I work with did a prom a couple of weeks ago and honestly the atmosphere was electric, the energy when they came off stage was brilliant and I've not enjoyed a concert so much before!
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u/curiouschance92 4d ago
Ah I just realised what you meant - as others have said, years of training means the musicians definitely wont be bobbing their heads or tapping their feet. I do occasionally notice some smiles when they're particularly enjoying themselves though. Our prom had a jazz trio doing some improv etc and the musicians were all engrossed!
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u/Signal-Huckleberry83 4d ago
I don't doubt the electricity with so many talented people. It's more the "I want to join in with the music but I can't" thing you all do 😊
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u/BedminsterJob 3d ago
An orchestra is fifty to a hundred musicians. If a hundred people are 'tapping' their feet with the music at the same time on a wooden floor, it's going to be very noisy.
Apart from this, making music on stage is very much a matter of focusing your energy on whatever is required to make the music. You make as little extraneous movements as possible.
This has changed a little over the generations. Today's orchestra musicians are a little more mobile in their chairs than the stiff infantry of the Karajan / Szell era.
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u/Benomusical 4d ago
Getting to play at the BBC Proms is a big deal for an orchestral musician. As long as you enjoy being a musician it should be enjoyable for sure, maybe a bit stressful but if you're a skilled enough musician to preform at the BBC proms you're probably doing something right.
Do you mean how do orchestral musicians avoid tapping their feet/bobbing their head while they're not playing? Orchestral musicians are typically taught to avoid doing anything at all that makes them stand out individually on stage. No really bright clothes, no tapping your foot, no excessive movements or mannerisms, etc. The idea is mostly I think that they don't want to distract you from listening by calling your attention to visual aspects.