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Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

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#1

Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:01pm

I'm just curious why there isn't a Tony category for best musical direction. It seems like music is a somewhat important part of a genre called musical theater. Just curious to hear peoples opinions
"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."
#2

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:06pm

The Tony voters would have no idea what constitutes good music direction. They are bewildered enough with the orchestrations award.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#3

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:08pm

I think that part of the problem with this idea is that a lot of times the Musical Director of a show is also the person who has done the Orchestrations, which IS a Tony eligible category. So you would have a bunch of people who were up for Tony's in 2 categories. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I do think there should be a Tony for Best Ensemble though, and I don't mean the Best Chorus. I mean the Best overall Cast of a production that includes everyone in it.
"If you've got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while you're learning to say it better." - David Mamet
#4

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:11pm

Actually the music director is usually NOT the orchestrator. The MD often does arrangements, and is usually the conductor as well
"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."
#5

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:12pm

"The Tony voters would have no idea what constitutes good music direction. They are bewildered enough with the orchestrations award."

Ha. Good point
"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."
#6

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:14pm

I guess my question then Don, is what is the difference between Orchestrations and Arrangements?
"If you've got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while you're learning to say it better." - David Mamet
#7

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:22pm

Orchestrator - decides what instrument plays what notes, writes out the individual instrument parts.

Arranger - creates dance music to the choreographer's needs, does much of the underscoring and scene change music, usually creates the overture. Sometimes does choral arranging (assigning harmonies).
#8

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:23pm

Generally it works like this: the composer writes the song for piano and vocal. An arranger will shape the song by tweaking form, rythym, harmony, etc, and will probably start shaping a drum part and bass part. The orchestrator is the one who takes the arrangements and decides who plays what when the 18 piece orchestra plays it. The orchestator also does some arranging, and the arranger will probably do some orchestrating.
"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."
#9

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:23pm

oh yeah I always forget about vocals and dancing
"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."
#11

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:46pm

I'm sold. There should definitely be a Tony category for Musical Direction.
"If you've got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while you're learning to say it better." - David Mamet
#12

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:23pm

There was a musical director/conductor award from the early years of the Tonys through to around 1964. I don't know why it was removed, but there must have been some good reason why it was discontinued. Or knowing the Tonys, perhaps no good reason.

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#14

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 7:19pm

There was an award for Best Stagehand? Who won it?

How would you even determine who was the Best Stagehand? They only come out in blackouts- when it is dark and they are in black.
I shave me Xanadu every morning!
#16

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 8:40pm

It depresses me that any given category "bewilders" Tony voters. No one can know everything, but shouldn't people deciding theatre awards have some basic knowledge about the various aspects of plays and musicals?
#18

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 9:07pm

I think in the past, Tony voters have been mostly correct in their decision of best orchestrator. Generally today, musicals don't use arrangers. Unless the director/choreographer want specific dance pieces or dance breaks in song, they will tell the orchestrator what they want. Orchestrators write the overture, and once again, unless an arranger is completely neccesary the orchestrator will write the underscoring. So basically, there's not enough a musical director does that is worth awarding a tony for. Maybe back in the 60's...
A little known fact is that in the original screenplay, Pan's Labyrinth was Pan's FLAByrinth. Hmmmmmmm...glad they changed it.
#19

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 9:08pm

"I think that part of the problem with this idea is that a lot of times the Musical Director of a show is also the person who has done the Orchestrations, which IS a Tony eligible category. So you would have a bunch of people who were up for Tony's in 2 categories. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong."

Even if that WERE true, if they did both jobs and did a fantastic job at both, shouldn't they be deserving of the two nominations? Why is that a problem?
#20

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 9:31pm

Orchestrations are often a team effort. Many of those collaborating on the orchestrations go uncredited. Here's a quote from an Q and A with Larry Blank who has done tons of Broadway, etc:

How common of a practice is it to come in and do un-credited orchestration work?
It is the history of orchestration on Broadway and film and the music business. Many films and the majority of all Broadway shows, were the work of a committee in the orchestration department.


Broadway World: Q&A with Larry Blank
#21

re: Should there be a Tony category for best music direction?

Posted: 7/9/07 at 11:25pm

"Why don't we bring back the award for Best Stagehand? There used to be one in the 1950's!

How about Best Usher? "


Are you seriously comparing the music director of a broadway MUSICAL to an usher? Please tell me you are kidding.


"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."

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