Is a musical conductor just human metronome?

Believe me, MANY people don't understand it, even if they've been in a musical ensemble. At the level of the New York Phil, you're exactly right. They just need someone to say "go." Every conductor, however, has their own interpretation of the music. One may want more cello here, less woodwind choir there, a faster tempo in movement 3, a more edgy sound from the trombones here, etc. That said, a good conductor can influence the music of even the most mature players. They can provide energy, which the ensemble returns, and then it becomes an endless circle. It's all about helping the ensemble create energy in the sound. Also, in more complex works, conductors act as time keepers when the meter changes often or there is a marked accelerando or ritardando.

The conductor really makes the performance better if they're good. One group that is notorious for having poor conductors are the military bands. I saw the traveling Marine band play an exciting transcription of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and nearly fell asleep. They can play the shit out of it with their stunning technique, but it was musically boring.

With marching band the DMs are there for keeping the group together. As you know, sound is lights retarded cousin...it takes him a little longer to figure it out. When a band is spread out over the field, it becomes more important for them to play with what they see from the drum major than with what they hear. If someone on the back sideline waits to play with what they hear, they will sound behind to the audience. They must actually play a bit ahead of what they see to make sure their sound reaches the audience at the same time as the rest of the ensemble. They're more important than many people realize.

by kasmith2020