Amateur Music - love in a cold climate

I have just returned from conducting an 'amateur wind band' - in ranks of musical snobbery, that must lay pretty low? There are the big symphony orchestras - the corner stone of the musical world, then there are the refined chamber orchestras who strive for a purer cause, then the period bands who like to do things differently and the contemporary ensembles are well, just, edgy. Way below that sit those ensembles who are amateur, and an amateur wind band - shock horror.

Just for those who might be slightly worried that I have gone insane, I don't believe in anyway what I have written above is true. However, a complete cynic, and moron, could interpret the musical hierarchy as such.

As a young conductor being able to work with such an ensemble is a complete gift. I tend to find that the more uncomfortable the situation is, the more I learn. That is not to say the group made me feel uncomfortable - quite the opposite. They are great. However, I am string player by training - and things you blow down to make a noise tend to unsettle me. Then there are all those instruments that you wouldn't see in a Beethoven symphony: baritone sax, euphonium, cornets and so on. Also where are the strings - my safety blanket! I am flanked on either side by flutes, oboes and clarinets!! Then there is the repertoire and compositional style, predominated by arrangements, homophonic writing and tonality. It is a completely different style to what I normally work with. It forces you to think differently, about how to make something work as an entity. But then you have the added factor of the players being amateurs.

Amateur - from the Latin amator - 'lover' via French and Italian. A person who engages in a pursuit as a pastime rather than a profession. However, it is the derogatory meaning that I believe does amateur music such harm: a person who does something unskillfully. I sometimes get the feeling it is OK to do it in your own home, but not in public thank you.

The 'factor' of the players being amateur is not a negative. However, one immediately thinks, can I be as critical and as demanding? The answer is of course yes. But, one has to remember that these players are here to enjoy what they are doing. But shouldn't that be what professional players are there for or putting it another way or - surely they love music as well? I think I was more concerned about the players enjoying themselves, however, as I write I think that that is probably untrue. I was just thinking how I could possibly achieve the best result in a different way.

Basically it has opened up a massive hornets nest for me. But I think actually nothing really is different. What is fantastic is that people love music, they are prepared to come out on a Sunday, rehearse and give a concert and that music is not about the professional world, but those who think about music everyday. From waking up to BBC Radio 2, to having a shower to Classic FM to singing some Mozart as you walk out of the tube, playing some quartets with friends and wine and going to bed thinking about the opening of Brahms 1 (symphony) - all that heat - it 'knackers' me out.

I had a fantastic time with the City of London Symphonic Winds and I learnt lots and the chance to think about masses. But things do make you wonder - which is good.

On a sunny morning like today, I think how lucky I am to be able to do something that I love.

F