Unlock Better Rehearsals: 3 Reasons to Get Off the Podium

*This is an updated post, orginally written and published in 2018

As directors, we're comfortable on the podium—it’s our home base, where we can see and hear the entire ensemble. But stepping off and moving around the rehearsal room offers fresh perspectives, both visually and audibly, allowing you to connect with students on a new level and become an even more impactful teacher. Here are three ways moving around the rehearsal room can elevate your next rehearsal.

1. You Notice More About Your Students and Their Playing

When you’re moving around the room, you’re more likely to spot details you might miss from the podium. I’ve often noticed my own students attempting to play without a mouthpiece, missing music, sneaking a snack, or even trying to text during rehearsal. Getting closer to individuals and sections helps you hear them more accurately, allowing you to refine your rehearsal approach. You may also notice that students, especially younger ones, sit with better posture and play with more focus when you’re nearby. Observing these details is key to guiding daily rehearsal progress and long-term development.

2. Encourage Students to Listen and Take Responsibility

Stepping off the podium gives students the chance to listen more intently and rely on each other. Without the director keeping tempo from the front, students become more responsible for maintaining pulse, matching articulation, pitch, and making timely entrances. By shifting this responsibility to your students, you help them develop essential ensemble skills and promote a deeper sense of ownership in their music-making. This is what we aim for, even when leading from the podium, but moving off the podium reinforces their independence.

3. Sit in and Play with Your Students

Joining your students in the ensemble, especially with younger or less-experienced players, allows you to directly model skills such as tone, articulation, and dynamics. As you move among different sections, including percussion, you’re able to reach all students, giving your attention to each area of the band. 

Pro Tip: Make Bluetooth Your Friend

If you’re using an app like Tonal Energy, pair your device with the rehearsal space sound system making it easy to control the metronome, play pitches when you’re moving around the room. This flexibility allows you to maintain a seamless rehearsal flow without interruption.

Create an Aisle for Better Access

Moving around the room is easier when there’s a clear aisle through the center of your ensemble. Not only does this make it easier for you to reach students in the back, but it also makes seating arrangements more efficient, especially at the start of class. For larger groups, consider adding two aisles for even greater access.

Stepping off the podium may feel like a big shift at first, but it creates opportunities to connect with your students, sharpen their listening skills, and guide them more effectively. By embracing a more active role within the ensemble, you’ll not only strengthen your students’ musicianship but also foster a more engaged and responsive rehearsal environment. Give it a try—you might find that your best teaching happens right there among your students.