How to Become a Music Conductor

A music conductor is the leader of any music group including orchestras, bands or choirs. It is the music conductor whose vision leads the musical group he is conducting. As Sonal Panse once wrote, a conductor must know "more than just how to twirl the stick." The guidelines for becoming a conductor were established in 1945 by Sir Henry Wood and still apply today.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Know music inside and out. A conductor must understand all aspects of music including tempo, dynamics and phrasing. Obtain a music education through the private instruction of another musician, preferably a conductor, with established credentials or obtain a degree in music at a college or university.

2. Play every instrument. While you may not be proficient in every instrument, you should have the ability to play each instrument in the orchestra. This includes being able to play at least 1 string instrument and the piano. Sir Henry Wood suggested the violin as the stringed instrument of choice.

3. Develop sight reading. You need a near perfect ability to sight read music to be a successful conductor. Your first and foremost goal is to reproduce the music of the composer as the composer intended it. Your interpretation of the music comes across through the musicians. Every element of the piece is executed at your direction.

4. Possess sensual skills. A conductor must have the ability to hear the different pitch of each individual instrument while listening to the tone of the group in order to get the correct harmonic balance. You also need rhythmic and interpretative senses when you conduct.

5. Gesture clearly and precisely. Some view the gestures of a music conductor as an art form. Others view it as a skill that can be learned. Regardless of how you view it, a conductor must make precise gestures with their hands, heads, bodies and baton in order to get the correct response from the musicians. Each gesture elicits a different response from the musicians.

6. Give constructive criticism. The conductor must maintain leadership of the group. You need a strong sense of discipline and the ability to constructively critique the musicians. Being a music conductor will require that you get along with a variety of personalities.

7. Organize the music program. Conductors are responsible for directing rehearsals and performances. They also plan programs, designate soloists, and hire and fire musicians. Your ability to form a group and get it to do what is needed will determine your success of failure as a music conductor.

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[chrisluca]

on 10/6/2009 Thanks for writing the article. I was wondering whether it would be much harder to become a music conductor of an orchestra/band, if one were to obtain music education through private instruction of a conductor rather than obtaining the music education through a college/university. Also, is it essential to play every instrument in an orchestra/band before conducting? How does one achieve such a feat of playing every instrument?