Image credit: https://sinfoniaoflondon.com/
Sinfonia of London is an award-winning symphony orchestra, directed since 2018 by British conductor John Wilson.
Often described as a ‘super orchestra’, they are a hand-picked group of world-class musicians including numerous principals and leaders from other UK and international orchestras, notable soloists and members of distinguished chamber groups.
In the year 2000, Wilson discovered that the world-famous MGM Studios in Hollywood had destroyed the sheet music to their legendary film musical catalogue, which included some of Hollywood’s classics such as Singing in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz (the whole lot was buried under a golf course!!)
He sought permission from Warner Bros, then rights holders to the MGM film catalogue, to reconstruct the scores to these classical MGM film musicals. It was a painstaking journey that took him nearly a decade.
Last week in a packed concert hall in Nottingham I had the privilege to attend Sinfonia of London UK tour and hear for myself the programme of music of Hollywood’s Greatest Hits.
As I sat transfixed along with a packed audience listening to the 70-piece orchestra it made me think about how many hours had been spent in what I was witnessing. Not only in the hours Wilson had taken to recreate the scores and select the players but also the many thousands of hours each of the musicians would have clocked up in practice to be able to perform to such a standard, all in service of us, the audience.
It was breathtakingly awesome.
I had the added pleasure of meeting him after the show. What struck me most about this hugely talented and gifted creative man was the quiet humility and humbleness he displayed in his leadership, attributing the success of the evening to his musicians and their talents
In coaching I often use the orchestra metaphor to help clients take a perspective on teamwork. In any success we experience we never do it on our own. It made me also reflect on how the role of a coach and conductor have some similarities.
The coach works a little more behind the scenes with their clients to help them be the very best version of themselves. They share tools and techniques, give feedback, gently challenge and champion. They can be hard yet compassionate task masters.
At the same time, they commit to their own continual learning and investing in their own growth working with other trusted professionals to make sure their practice is safe and ethical. They often make personal sacrifices, and their passion for their work and what they do propels them forward and keeps them going when things get tough. They never settle for anything other than the client’s best. Everything a coach does is in service of the client.
Clients leave a coaching assignment feeling more confident, empowered to make change, happier and more content and fulfilled and those closest to them in their personal and professional lives witness and benefit from the results. just as a conductor is in service of their musicians and the enjoyment of the wider audience.
Sometimes in life we all find ourselves in a place where we need to face the music and put a different record on.
If that sounds like you and you are wanting something to be different in some area of your professional and personal life, then please get in touch. I’d love to talk.
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