Backstage Pass: Costume Designer
Backstage Pass: Programmer
Backstage Pass: Lighting Designer
Backstage Pass: Orchestra Librarian
Backstage Pass: Orchestra Manager
Backstage Pass
Backstage Pass: Orchestra Manager
Why does an orchestra need a manager?
Why does an orchestra need a manager and what exactly does he or she do? Read on to find out, and then take our quiz!
Have you ever watched an orchestra performance in the Esplanade Concert Hall? Isn’t it amazing how so many musicians can come together and create such beautiful music? As an audience member, what we see on stage is just the result of weeks of hard work. There is in fact a lot of work that needs to be done before the performance even happens and there are many important people behind the scenes who help to do so. One of them is the Orchestra Manager!
This is Charis! She is an Orchestra Manager with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO).
Living the double life
Orchestra managers like Charis typically have two types of work days—office days and operational days. Orchestra managers are responsible for many of the administrative work that needs to be done leading up to the show. Did you know that the instruments musicians use require insurance in case they break? Who helps to book flights and accommodation for international guests? Well, an orchestra manager does all this and more! They even help to roster musicians and coordinate auditions when needed!
Find out what a day in the life of an orchestra manager looks like with Charis as she prepares for a show.
Backstage is where the action is
On operational days, otherwise known as concert days, orchestra managers are busy running around backstage to make sure that everything is going smoothly. Some tasks that an orchestra manager is responsible for include making sure the roster is up to date and that all musicians have arrived. They prepare refreshments for the pantry table and ensure that the musicians are comfortable and well taken care of.
Let’s take a look at what a day in the life of an orchestra manager is on a concert day!
The magical box
During shows, orchestra managers take care of the musicians and ensure that they have all that they need for the concert. With symphony orchestras having up to a hundred musicians or more, you can just imagine the many ways that things could go wrong! As such, orchestra managers need to be prepared for any emergencies such as musicians falling ill, losing their bow ties or in some cases, forgetting their tailcoats!
Here's where an orchestra manager’s case comes in. Much like Doraemon’s magical bag, an orchestra manager’s case holds all the items that an orchestra manager might need. Find out what are some of the items that can be found in the case.
Wrapping up the day
The job of an orchestra manager does not end when the concert ends. After the concert has finished, an orchestra manager helps to do a final sweep of all the dressing rooms backstage to make sure that musicians have not left behind any belongings and that everything is packed and ready to be brought back to their headquarters.
Take a look at what goes down behind the scenes after a concert!
While the job of an orchestra manager is certainly not easy, it is no doubt an important role and definitely an exciting one with lots of friendships and memories to be made. As Charis puts it,
“ I really appreciate the camaraderie that we have built here working together week after week. We work hard and play hard and that's a plus for me. ”
Take the quiz!
