“Conducting is a highly visual form of music making.  Consider of the visual expression of musicians playing chamber music. In a way, their body language is separate, yet still totally connected to the music. This physical language is similar to the body language of a conductor. And musicians can feel more comfortable when they can see music making connected to the music they are playing. What we hear in connection with what we see, affects the musical communication strongly.”

— Sigmund Thorp