Macbeth

Who do the musicians work with?

The musical director (MD) is the key point of contact between the music manager, composer, director and stage manager. Essentially the MD is the lead musician and takes responsibility for making sure the other musicians have the latest scores, cues and schedules. During a show, the MD follows the text closely in order to ensure that cues are played at the right time!

The composer and the musicians have a very important relationship. Some composers let the musicians improvise during rehearsals and others come fully prepared, with finished scores. The composer needs to communicate his musical vision as well as organise the practical side of instrumentation, cues and placement. The composer has several rehearsal calls with the musicians before the technical rehearsals start, to make sure the band gel and the score is adjusted accordingly.

The director and the musicians work together mostly during the tech week to go over all the show’s musical moments. Often musicians will have to walk around the stage or in the yard and therefore they are incorporated into rehearsals with the actors to run through these parts.