It's no surprise that music and the body are closely entwined. We previously reported that classical music can sync audience members—their heartbeats can slow or race during the same musical passages, and they can even get goosebumps simultaneously. As a conductor, you create this synchronization with your body, using your gestures to unify the musicians and create harmony.
However, this isn't limited to your hands. You also do this with your eyes. The power of your gaze is vital in giving important info to your orchestra—and unfortunately, poor eyesight can impact that. Here's an overview of how this process works and how you can find the right eyeglasses to fix the issue.
Why Eye Contact Is Crucial in the Conductor-Orchestra Relationship
Occasional eye contact with your orchestra is necessary for several reasons. It will encourage musicians to add power and dynamism to certain passages. Psychology Today notes that the eyes are organs of sight and emotional expression. Establishing eye contact with your musicians can help you convey how well you feel they're doing—and encourage them to perform even better.
There's also a more practical aspect involved. A 2020 study from Multimodal Technologies and Interaction found that the eyes are also integral tools of a gaze system that, whether you're aware of it or not, can help you effectively convey indications like "crescendo" and "pay attention." A great example of a conductor who understood the power of the gaze well is Leonard Bernstein, who could conduct symphonies using only his eyes.
However, you need good vision to reap the benefits of eye contact with your orchestra. Poor eyesight will impact your ability to convey critical information and are associated with headaches and eye strain that can further affect your conducting. For the best results, you'll want eyeglasses that can sharpen your gaze and boost your connection to your orchestra.
How to Choose the Right Eyeglasses for Conducting an Orchestra
Know what features your glasses need.
To clearly see your orchestra members and establish effective eye contact with them, purchase eyeglasses that suit your specific needs as a conductor. To learn what features you need, get an eye exam to check for visual function and acuity. Tell your optometrist where you place your score and how far you're situated from your orchestra during performances. From here, elaborate on challenges you have when looking at both while conducting, such as blurriness from near- or farsightedness or squinting due to stage lighting. That way, you won't get a prescription that's too strong or weak. You'll also learn if you need to use tinted or transition lenses to help you see better under bright stage lights or lenses with low-light vision boosters for conducting in less-illuminated settings like theater performances. Otherwise, you may experience further headaches and eye strain that will continue to impact eye contact during performances.
Choose versatile frames.
Your eyewear can also form a distinctive part of your overall appearance as well as serve a practical purpose. Artists like Elton John and Bono made their glasses an iconic part of their look—and you can do the same by purchasing prescription glasses with distinctive frames you can make your own. Take Oakley's eyewear, which is known for distinct, sporty, yet sleek silhouettes, like the Holbrook and Spindrift, and you can make it part of your signature look. They also use Ace-fit technology for adjustable temples, making them headset-compatible. By simply choosing eyeglasses with versatile frames, you can shift from thinking that eyeglasses will deter from how you look and work to believing it will strengthen your performance and reputation as a conductor.
Test your eyeglasses.
Some visual disorientation is normal with new prescription glasses, so be sure to buy from retailers that offer free home trials, like Warby Parker. Use that time to evaluate if they meet your vision requirements as you work and allow you to establish eye contact with your orchestra effectively. If you still experience headaches or eye strain after a couple of weeks, check with your optometrist for prescription errors.
The power of your gaze is integral in conducting your orchestra. Prevent poor vision from obstructing its benefits by getting the best eyeglasses possible to strengthen it.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of classicalite.com
