Counting rests

[OldWetOneCanoli]

I recently subbed tbn 2 in a community orchestra - first time playing in an orchestra in 40 years. We played Beethoven Leonore II overture and Dvorak Symphony No 8. For the Beethoven the beginning is slow and in 3-4, with most of the bars conducted in 3, but a few in 6. I would make cues on when the bassoon, flute, woodwinds came in (measure #), etc, which bars were in 6. At some of the rehearsal Letters where we were counting extended rests the bass tbn and I would do a short motion point of the finger at the rehearsal Letter so we knew we were on the same count. I also listened to a recording of this piece enough so I could almost come in across the piece without counting (but I did count). I was much more familiar with the Dvorak, so I could have gotten by without counting, but again, I did count and used the visual cue with the bass tbn. Both pieces had a few (more in the Dvorak) orchestra cues printed in the part that were also useful.