Materials for Conducting Orchestra

Series Summary

Conducting an orchestra can be a daunting task, be it a string ensemble or an entire symphony. The job requires an extensive knowledge of music scoring as well as a natural gift to distinguish proper pitch and tone. And beyond the music basics, a conductor has to be an entertainer, involving their musicians as well as their audience in the piece they are conducting. The conductor is the focus of attention for the entire performance venue, so they must follow the proper etiquette and established rules and at the same time keep the crowd entertained and involved.

In this free series on conducting a classical orchestra, our experienced conductor will tell you what you need to become a conductor. Start with a thorough knowledge of classical music and become familiar with the score you will be conducting. Then follow Brandon's basic tips for using the conducting baton and adjusting the music stand. Afraid that you might make a faux pas in the sophisticated world of classical music? Not to worry! Brandon discusses everything from what to wear to how to take your bow at the end of a performance. The series also includes tips on how to tune

Video Transcript

"Hi, on behalf of Expert Village I'm going to show you the preparation you need when you're conducting or rehearsing an orchestra. To be a conductor you need several materials on hand. First and most important, you need the musical score that you'll be working or performing. Secondly, you'll need a conducting baton, and some people use just their hands but for most orchestra or band performances, I prefer, and most conductors prefer to use a baton. I also recommend to have extra parts of the piece you're performing just in case. You need a number two pencil. It's good to have colored pencils for color coding your score, that's done beforehand. And I also recommend having a good tuner and metronome."