So, You're the New Musical Director! - by James H Laster (Paperback)

About the Book

So, You're the New Musical Director! is aimed at the person who has music training but little or no experience with musical theatre, the high school choral director with a degree in music education, or the actor participating in community theatre productions. It details the du...

Book Synopsis

So, You're the New Musical Director! is aimed at the person who has music training but little or no experience with musical theatre, the high school choral director with a degree in music education, or the actor participating in community theatre productions. It details the duties involved in directing a broadway musical, including overseeing singer and orchestra rehearsals and conducting the musical itself. The chapters follow the actual progression of a musical from a discussion of the production team's responsibilities to the final bow. Filled with photos, illustrations, and examples, So, You're the New Musical Director! is a comprehensive guide that no one involved in musical theatre should be without.

Review Quotes

"Laster (emeritus, Conservatory of Shenandoah U., Virginia and experienced musical conductor) details the duties involved in directing a Broadway musical, from overseeing the singer and orchestra rehearsals to conducting the musical itself. Suitable for those with music training but little or no experience with musical theater." --2001, Reference and Research Book News

"Chock full of examples, anecdotes, and clear, concise instruction on everything from selecting the work to staging the performance, this guide is written in a conversational yet authoritative tone that will connect with its audience...This would be an excellent textbook in music education. Highly recommended for public, academic, and music libraries." --Library Journal

Chock full of examples, anecdotes, and clear, concise instruction on everything from selecting the work to staging the performance, this guide is written in a conversational yet authoritative tone that will connect with its audience...This would be an excellent textbook in music education. Highly recommended for public, academic, and music libraries.

Laster (emeritus, Conservatory of Shenandoah U., Virginia and experienced musical conductor) details the duties involved in directing a Broadway musical, from overseeing the singer and orchestra rehearsals to conducting the musical itself. Suitable for those with music training but little or no experience with musical theater.

About the Author

James H. Laster is professor emeritus at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia and is also the University's reference librarian. He has been the musical director for 52 musical theater productions.