Hi, Ben.  My question would be whether you want your gift baton to be displayed or actually used.

 

My guess is that deer antler would be kind of heavy.  The lighter a baton is, the better for the contuctor.

 

The closer the balance point is to the conductor's hand, the better.  It should function as a flexible extension of the conductor's hand and fingers.

 

It should indeed be white, for best visibility in low-light situations, such as conducting in a pit.

 

As to the handle, different people have very different preferences.  My conducting mentor in grad school had us get very prosaic King David batons, very lightweight wood with cork handles that give a good grip without creating musicular tension.  I still use them by choice, and have them in severeal different lengths, but most often use the shortest one.

 

You are a very good friend indeed, and I wish you all the best.

John

First, go to a good music store and decide on a handle shape. I prefer the bulbous cork shape, as it fits in the hand most comfortably. Also, decide on length.

Second, the entire baton needs to be a lightweight as possible. Cork is nearly always the preferred handle material for this reason. The stick part must be white.

Third, the baton should balance right at the junction of the cork handle and the baton stick. I find most purchased batons are too "stick heavy". I drill a hole in the cork handle at the opposite end and insert fishing lead sinkers until I get the balance I want, then fill the hole with glue.

 

Now, the above places strict limits on your creativity. I would suggest an ornamental gift baton in a shadow box display case. In other words, a work of art. As long as it doesn't have to be used, you can go crazy (or artistic). Let it be your "interpretation" of a baton.

 

Bill Paisner

Director, Southwest Women's Chorus

Ben,

 

Does your friend use a baton now? Some people are not comfortable with a stick and/or feel it unnecessary.

Richard Lert *said the baton is the most dangerous instrument in the orchestra. One has to know how to use it.

Buy one that can fit into a briefcase. If it is too long for his/her taste/feel it can be shortened easily.

If there is a handle on it, one tends to use it too far forward in the fingers, I think, and can look silly-like pointillist painting,

fingers on top. A grip can be  about like pulling a rope, but more relaxed. In other words not too thick.

In my opinion white looks heavy and might get too heavy a sound from performers.

I would not spend more than a few dollars and remember, how to use it is more important than anything else.

Frankly, I would not find a baton very appealing as a gift.

 

Or was it  R. Strauss?

 

Be Joyful,

 

C.  EdwardPallmerMusic.com