Podium Positions for Conducting Orchestra

Video Transcript

"Hi. You notice that I'm not in front of the podium right now. I'm doing this to demonstrate the three positions I like to have, I like my orchestra to practice. The first one I call rest position. When I'm not in front of the podium, I like my orchestra to have their instruments and their bows down in their laps. As I walk towards the podium, and turn and face the ensemble, they need to go straight to the second position which is called ready position where their instrument is held up and their bows are held up. When I grab my baton and raise my arms to begin the piece, at that point they simultaneously raise their instrument and bow in what I call playing position. So the three positions I like to use are rest position, when I face the podium-ready position, and when I raise my arms to conduct-playing position."