Conducting for Ensemble Directors

Successful completion of Conducting for Ensemble Directors results in 0.50 college semester credit hour from Idaho State University. As a graduate 5000-level course aligned to Idaho State University’s Graduate Catalog EDUC 5598P, the course includes engagement with a faculty member and is designed to support professional learning and implementation in educational settings. Learners enroll as non-matriculated students, and earned semester credits are recorded on an ISU non-academic transcript endorsed by the university Registrar.

Applicability of this course toward K–12 teacher license renewal, recertification, salary lane advancement, or other professional advancement is determined by the Idaho Department of Education, school district, charter school, human resources office, collective bargaining agreement, or other approving entity.

To earn semester credit in this course, students must complete the course in full and engage at the level of rigor expected in a university course. The course includes academically engaged learning through student engagement and assignments. Successful completion requires consistent participation and satisfactory performance.

To earn semester credit, students must:

●      Attend at all class meetings.

●      Spend a minimum of one hour of time completing assignments in preparation for class the following day.

No textbook purchase is required for this course.

1. Inspire participants to engage more deeply as creative musicians and develop their skills as conductors and ensemble directors with the goal of sharing this enthusiasm and knowledge with their students
2. Develop skills in the following areas: score study and analysis skills; gestural precision, expression, and ease; aural skills, including accurately audiating a musical score and error detection; effective rehearsal strategies

This course is designed as a forum for shared learning among the participants, with the goal of creating supportive networks that can remain active during the academic year.

Students should bring a baton, pencil, manuscript paper, and a notebook to the class, as well as any instrument(s) they will be playing as part of the in-class ensemble. Repertoire to be studied will be finalized and sent to participants at least three weeks prior to the workshop. Participants are encouraged to purchase their own copies of the scores to be studied.

Class activities will include participants conducting the class and performing for one another, exploring rehearsal techniques to address issues of ensemble, intonation, etc., discussing repertoire, programming considerations, and programming resources, instrument pedagogy, and other topics of interest to the group. Three participants will be invited to rehearse and conduct the Pocatello Municipal Band at their concert on Sunday, August 2nd, and other participants will conduct a guest ensemble at the Friday morning session.

Conducting for Ensemble Directors covers many skills and techniques necessary to successfully lead an ensemble. Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

Score Study - Your preparation before you set foot on the podium is vital to your success. We will explore programming considerations and study methods to ensure timely absorption of everything composers put in their scores.

Communication - Does your baton technique match your musical intent? Participants will work towards developing a large gestural vocabulary that is both specific and versatile.

Expression -  Are you communicating more than time? Expressive performances start on the podium. This course examines how conductors might physically embody a musical or emotional idea.

Rehearsal - Realtime error detection is a critical skill for conductors. We will discuss techniques to hear and correct common performance errors in rehearsal to ensure successful performances.

Performance - The course will culminate with participants leading either the ISU Faculty Brass Quintet or the Pocatello Municipal Band in performance.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Students will be graded based on their level of engagement and preparation for the class and their level of improvement shown over the duration of the course.

Students are expected to follow institutional policies on academic honesty. Plagiarism, cheating, or misrepresentation of work undermines learning and will result in appropriate consequences as defined by university policy. If you are unsure whether something is acceptable, ask before submitting work.

The university is committed to providing an accessible learning environment. If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, contact the Disability Services office as early as possible to ensure that reasonable accommodations can be arranged. Students without documentation who believe they may have a disability or learning difference are encouraged to consult Disability Services about options and campus resources.

This course addresses topics related to disability, learning differences, and personal experiences. Students are expected to maintain a respectful, supportive environment, keep classmates’ stories confidential, and listen with openness and empathy. Disagreement is normal, but it should be expressed respectfully.