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The Physical Set-Up

© Thomas Robertson

In the 1996-97 season, when I joined the University of Tennessee orchestra, I was appointed the last chair in the second violin section. I thought I did fine in the audition, but the conductor apparently didn't think so. After all, he designated me as the worst player in the whole violin section! From way back there, I found it difficult to watch the conductor.

At the end of the first semester, I got promoted to the second stand in the second violin section. There I found it easy to watch the conductor.

Could it be a matter of morale? That's what I thought too, until I got moved again - this time to the back of the first violin section. This was another promotion, but it put me as far back in the section as I was before. Once again, I found it difficult to watch the conductor.

Could it be a matter of proximity to the conductor? That's what I thought too, until we were told to clear an aisle for the soloist in a stage rehearsal. I disobeyed by setting my music stand right in the middle of the aisle, between the first and second violin sections. Once again, I found it easy to watch the conductor.

Could it be a matter of a clear view of the conductor, with a minimum of barriers in between? That could be it!

I hear some of you saying, "I'm a classroom teacher, not an orchestra conductor. So what does all this have to do with me?" There are at least three implications for the classroom:

Use your own desk for paperwork only.

If you dislike the students, they will realize that you are using the desk as a fence. If you are afraid of the students, they will realize that you are using the desk as a shield.

Arrange the desks unconventionally.

In the conventional arrangement, the fifth student in the row has at least four barriers between you and the student.

If possible, arrange the desks in a single row in a circle or square. That way, all of the students can see each other at all times, so they will not have to misbehave in order to attract attention to themselves.

Whenever possible, get the students out of the desks.

Just as the teacher's desk could serve as a barrier, the student's desk could serve as a barrier. With a little creativity, you can come up with plenty of activities which don't involve sitting at a desk.

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