As part of the 2013/14 Artistic Challenge, the Civic Orchestra has spent months exploring Richard Strauss’ Don Quixote with the ultimate goal of, as Yo-Yo Ma says, ”achieving a deep sense of ownership over the piece.” In late January, one of the biggest challenges awaited us: the Civic Orchestra was scheduled to hold two conductor-less rehearsals of Don Quixote as an exercise to work collaboratively amongst ourselves and develop our own musical interpretation of the piece.

Read more: When the Conductor is Away, the Orchestra Will Play