Orchestral Conducting

About this course

This course develops a clear, reliable conducting technique through theory-based study and practical conducting with a volunteer orchestra. Participants work on bodily coordination, main, subdivided and irregular beat patterns, and the annotation and reading of full orchestral scores. The course also covers thorough score preparation and effective communication with orchestral musicians. Teaching includes discussion in English, with digital resources such as recordings, online videos and relevant mobile applications available to support music study.

What you'll learn

• Conduct beat patterns in one, two, three and four
• Subdivide regular beat patterns
• Adapt conducting patterns to irregular metres
• Annotate and read a full orchestral score
• Prepare a score thoroughly
• Communicate efficiently with orchestral musicians

Is this course right for you?

Listed at Advanced level, the course is intended for learners who meet the stated requirements in music notation, clefs, transposition, orchestral score reading and basic harmony. Conducting is a physical activity involving bodily coordination and quick score reading. Participants conduct an orchestra, contribute to discussions in English and complete study activities outside class.

• Requires good knowledge of musical notation and standard musical terms
• Requires an understanding of clefs, transposition, orchestral scores and basic harmony
• Involves conducting a volunteer orchestra
• Requires excellent attendance, punctuality and work outside class

Before you go

• Participants should bring a baton and notebook.
• The course requires study or completion of activities outside class time.