CONDUCTORS

The conductor must lead the orchestra through a performance of the film score of West Side Story in synchronization with a showing of the film. The synchronization is tight and complex, and is achieved through the use of various technical devices for the conductor. These include a special version of the film with streamers and punches marked on top of the picture, which aid the conductor in the synchronization. This version of the film feeds directly to the conductor’s rostrum, which is equipped with a video monitor. In addition to that, the conductor, as well as the musicians, have headphones with a click track feed. The conductor also has a small mixer to control the level of the click track for the orchestra.

A conductor with experience in conducting live music to film and performing with click tracks will have had valuable experience to help him/her meet the challenges that this projects presents.

Watch an excerpt of a technical rehearsal and listen to David Newman discuss the project here (password required).

List of conductors who have performed
West Side Story film with Live Orchestra

David Newman

Jayce Ogren

Ernst van Tiel

Benjamin Northey

Yutaka Sado

Marin Alsop

Steven Reineke

Sarah Hicks

Wayne Marshall

Grant Llewellyn

Scott O’Neill

James Gaffigan

Wen-Pin Chien

Emil de Cou

Alondra de la Parra

Josep Caballe-Domenech

Alain Trudel

Giancarlo Guerrero

William Eddins

Brett Mitchell

Joshua Tan

Anthony Gabriele

Ludwig Wicki

Huang Yi

John Axelrod

Andrew Crust

John Morris Russell

Peter Bay

Hector Guzman