Conducting 103: Diving Deeper Into Lessons Learned in Undergraduate Conducting Courses
Friday, January 23, 2026
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Description
Conducting technique plays a vital role in the translation of our interpretation of music to musicians in front of us. Considering that most of our undergraduate music degrees require one or two conducting courses, which are unable to offer a significant amount of one-on-one instruction, we graduate with only a cursory glance of this necessary skill. As we move into our careers, the lessons from these courses dissipate and the outlets to further develop needed skills are isolated, competitive, and costly.
Through interactive examples and experiments, this clinic seeks to reframe fundamental lessons from undergraduate conducting courses and simultaneously redefine how those skills translate to efficient and musical rehearsals. Participants, who are encouraged to bring a baton, will leave with tangible content and self-help strategies that can be implemented immediately.
Speakers
J. Nick Smith
Learning Objective 1
Improve conducting skills and use lessons to increasing rehearsal and performance productivity
Learning Objective 2
Adjust thinking surrounding conducting to center around humanistic motion versus “conducting class” training
Learning Objective 3
Inspire teachers to continue to engage in conducting training, practice, and development
Session Level
Middle School/Junior High, High School, Collegiate, Retired