Critical Listening in the Ensemble Rehearsal: A Community of Learners

Abstract

This article explores a strategy for engaging ensemble members in critical listening analysis of performances and presents opportunities for improving ensemble sound through rigorous dialogue, reflection, and attentive rehearsing. Critical listening asks ensemble members to draw on individual playing experience and knowledge to describe what they hear. Focused discussion revolves around key issues that music directors consider during daily rehearsals: tonal quality, balance, blend, articulation, accuracy of performance, interpretation, musicality, and much more. An important component of critical listening is teacher monitoring of repeated listening exercises: A short listening is immediately followed by discussion and then another short listening. Questions guide the discussion, which becomes richer and more focused as students compare/apply their musical understandings with their aural perceptions and then demonstrate with performance. Though written from the standpoint of a typical public school music ensemble rehearsal, the critical listening concepts can transfer to any musical tradition where listening skills and collective performance are emphasized.