Butts Acting Guild Dance Company

Music Director’s Duties: Pre-Production to Post-Show

Butts Acting Guild

Pre-Production Duties

1. Meet with Director & Choreographer

• Review musical vision, style, and pacing.

• Identify vocal challenges, solo roles, and harmonies.

• Determine rehearsal structure for music vs. staging.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Provide sample recordings or reference tracks for tone consistency.

• Confirm all licensed music materials are complete and accurate.

• Plan warmups tailored to cast vocal needs.

2. Prepare Musical Materials

• Mark cuts, transitions, vamps, and repeats.

• Create rehearsal tracks or teach-by-voice-part recordings.

• Develop vocal warm-up routines.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Highlight tricky rhythms or key changes ahead of time.

• Organize scores in labeled binders for easy rehearsal use.

• Pre-teach harmonies to section leaders if possible.

Rehearsal Period

1. Teach Music to Cast

• Lead music rehearsals: melody, harmony, diction, and blend.

• Work individually with principal roles on vocal technique.

• Coordinate with Choreographer for tempo and musical feel.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Teach harmonies separately before combining parts.

• Use solfege or call-and-response for challenging passages.

• Ensure lyrics support character intention and emotion.

2. Rehearse with Orchestra or Tracks

• Conduct sitzprobe (first cast–orchestra run).

• Balance levels between live performers and musicians.

• Fix tempo discrepancies between cast and pit.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Provide clear downbeats and hand cues during rehearsals.

• Record sitzprobe for cast review.

• Adjust tempos to suit performer capabilities without losing musicality.

Technical & Dress Rehearsals

3. Finalize Musical Elements

• Work with Sound Director to balance microphones.

• Adjust vocal dynamics based on staging and projections.

• Ensure musical cues align with lighting, choreography, and scene changes.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Sit in multiple locations to evaluate sound consistency.

• Double-check cue sheets with Stage Manager.

• Address breath placement and sustain issues that appear in full runs.

Performance Period

4. Maintain Musical Quality

• Conduct performances or supervise conductor.

• Give notes on blend, diction, pitch, and energy.

• Support swings or understudies stepping into roles.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Re-run harmonies of difficult sections before each show.

• Keep emergency tempo notes for alternate performers.

• Attend performances regularly to maintain standards.