Have you ever been on the performance end of a choir or theatrical production? If yes, I’m sure you remember your Choir Conductor/Director of Music or the Drama Director somewhat vividly. For, although the Composer/Playwright conceived the piece; it is the Conductor or the Director who got us performing. Although the Director may not have met the Composer, s/he undertakes the task of helping the Choir/Cast understand the Composition AND the Composer.
The choral composition includes the score (including notes, rests and music language guiding speed, repetition, etc); or an audio demo. For the dramatic production, there’s the scripted stage direction, including blocking (where to sit or stand when executing lines or action), setting and info about the character/s being played. These directions provide the Choir/Cast, Crew and Director enough information to ensure that the performance is excellent.
Usually, for either case, there is an audition, unless the Conductor-Director is very familiar with the individuals. Then, one may find that some roles are already assigned before everyone see the (manu)script. Having spent some time getting familiar with the piece; the Conductor-Director makes notes to enhance the quality of the performance in tandem with the individual Cast or Choir members.
Then there’s extensive (not necessarily long term) rehearsals. In many instances, the Director-Conductor does not micromanage the Choir-Cast. Rather, they are afforded some creative license to interpret the composition/script based on the standardized Composer’s notes. However, as the Conductor-Director understands the nuances s/he wishes to highlight; s/he provides additional details and directions to be followed. When the Conductor-Director has an established reputation; these extra instructions are followed almost verbatim.
Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to join God’s Choir/Divine Drama as we place ourselves in the hands of the most highly acclaimed Conductor-Director, the Spirit of God; in the Composition of a lifetime. “But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Galatians 5:18, 25 NLT
The Manuscript has been provided; and our roles have been established. We’re already in rehearsals. Will we yield to our Conductor-Director?