My high school orchestra director, Mr. D., surprised me once when he was going over a passage with another section of the orchestra.
"What do you think about what you just heard?" he asked me.
"I'm sorry," I replied honestly. "My mind wandered, and I wasn't really listening."
"This is an ensemble," he reminded me. "We listen to each other."
Mr. D.'s unexpected question irked me slightly. Admittedly, however, it was a good reminder that even when your section isn't playing, listening to those who are is the respectful, responsible thing to do.
