Just recently, I read about “the voice of conductors” in three different sites and all of them were considering - probably better to say mentioning - that conductors not giving enough appearance of their opinions, ideas on the “stage of CE”.
Let me to take up the thread and add some of my thoughts to this theme. I do not want to rescue conductors at all but I collected some reasons why they might not saying much.
First of all, I would separate right away the “lack of voice of conductors” issue to two big piles; namely for those who work in Hungary and those who work somewhere else abroad, out of Hungary. In fact, I think the problem is less manifested itself in Hungary since there are different forums where conductors are able to express their thoughts, ideas and also, many of them are responsible to take the lead of CE actions and/or to lead initiatives considerably serious way. They have the good possibility to work together in conductor groups to develop any problems…so; they can really keep in hands the profession itself.
Opposite of this, out of Hungary everything is different. On one hand, Conductive Education is very variably manifested in different countries. On the other hand, you are very lucky if you can find more than 4-5 conductors in the same place – often, in the same part of a country or through the whole country. The total responsibility of leading in any CE initiative or leading the professional moves of it is very unlikely in the hands of conductors. As a result of this of course conductors are less able to put serious effort to create their own voices. Pretty often their job, their carrier depends on the relationship to their leaders, co-workers, though they should totally consider what problems to raise and how to do it. Furthermore, we should honestly see the problem that the conductors’ working hours are often longer or/and they are overloaded abroad. Some of them are tired enough not to make any voice and they run home to look after their families after work. Additionally, many of the conductors are young professionals abroad moving from country to country and they definitely having language and assimilation problems, not to mention the confidence of any kind of professional appearance.
This reasoning list can be continued why we are lack of the voice of conductors and probably, dear reader, you will continue it as a comment. Please, be advised to do so.
After having collected and written these facts I do not feel like satisfied and relaxed on this case. Not at all. I must agree with those who actually raised the problem and I hope that conductors are going to be somewhat more active anywhere abroad in the future. I would advise to use the possibility of being anonymous for those who have a fear due to any reason and to express their ideas on the net.
1 comment:
I am experiencing some of these problems you mention myself here in Germany at the moment and because of my lack of "voice" I am dangling on a string waiting to see if I have any work when term starts again later this month. As you say conductors move from place to place and are either dependent on charitable organisations or parent initiatives to give them work and often choose to keep a low profile.
Time is also a governing factor and in the small groups of conductors working all over Europe there is rarely one where a conductor is responsible for organisation, thus having a "voice", this is left to a non-conductor. Conductors are needed for the hands on work.
Also because of language barriers conductors do not have the contact with all the different authorities and departments which are involved in the financing and organisation of CE groups, so once again no voice.It is almost as if CE takes place with a hidden, invisible presence, the mysterious conductor, in the background.
This lack of a "voice" has a detrimental effect on developing conductive education as a profession outside of Hungary.
Susie Mallett
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