What i hope to see in our new MD/Conductor

I came out with a list for CFA, regarding the expectations we (or should i say, I have) for the in-coming MD, in response to Shyan-Hwei's request...

It was a rather long, and (according to barber) demanding list :P

I'm not gonna list down point by point what i wrote in that listing, suffice to say that IF we can find somebody who fits that bill.. Genus will certainly see a better tomorrow.

That said, i PARTIALLY agree with Owls that our now ex-MD does fail rather miserably when it comes down to the "passion" factor. Or rather, if he was very passionate about the group and its music, it didnt come across to many of us, since he remained aloft and seemingly disinterested in anything other than playing with the ensemble (as a player, rather as a conductor).

Why partially? Well, i feel that Dom's major failing was his lack of sense of responsibility and communication skills. A MD/conductor who's 'passionate' about the music (and the group) would be ideal, but top of my choice would be a person who's RESPONSIBLE and is able to communication (ie. connect) with the group's individuals.

Of course, the ABILITY of the person is key as well, but many of us never really doubted Dom's abilities in guitar skills and (esp.) his understanding and interpretations of baroque/classical/renaissance music. I really do admire some of his finer touches when he interpreted pieces like Fairy Queen and more recently the Capriol Suite. Certainly no one in the ensemble could have done it better. Sure, he wasn't in his element when it came to more modern pieces, or worse, chinese pieces, but then nobody can be expected to be an expert in ALL kinds of music ya?

So, with the new conductor, while i'd wish for him/her to be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding the music we're playing, but if not, then at the very least make serious attempts to learn and understand music which is out of his/her comfort zone. This, to me, is a pre-requisite for a RESPONSIBLE music director/conductor of ANY music group.