Physical Performance and Presentation Skills for an Ensemble

Physical Performance and Presentation Skills for an Ensemble

Physical Aspects of Performance

Body Language

  • Understand the significance of posture in ensuring effective sound production and conveying your engagement to the audience.
  • Be aware of how the positioning and movement of your limbs affect the quality of your performance.
  • Comprehend the importance of facial expressions in convincing emotional delivery.

Instrument Handling

  • Appreciate the significance of secure and comfortable handling of your instrument for a steady performance.
  • Understand the value of appropriate touch/grip, crucial for accurate, clean notes and reducing the risk of injury.
  • Realise the need for agility and speed in both hands to master the demands of complex music pieces.

Presentation Skills for Ensemble

Dress Code

  • Acknowledge the importance of uniform or appropriate dress code to represent the style or genre of your performance.
  • Maintain a neat and professional appearance that showcases the seriousness of your intent towards the performance.
  • Understand the significance of comfortable clothing and footwear which doesn’t hinder movement or instrument manipulation.

Stage Presence

  • Recognise the role of body language and facial expressions in engaging the audience and enhancing group coherence.
  • Develop visual harmony with your ensemble mates, for example, synchronised bow movements in a string quartet.
  • Understand the impact of an assured and confident entrance and exit, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Interaction with Audience

  • Learn to acknowledge applause appropriately and thank the audience graciously for their attention and support.
  • Understand the power of eye contact when appropriate, making your audience feel included in your performance.
  • Develop your ability to convey the story or emotion of the piece to the audience, making the performance a shared experience.

By paying attention to both these components - the physical rigour of performance and essential presentation tips, an ensemble will be well-equipped to deliver a performance that is both aurally and visually captivating.