Below is a short introduction to my teaching work. A number of published
articles are available here for viewing in pdf format.
Leopold Stokowski once said "Conductors are born, not made". So can you teach conducting, and if so, how? Well, that's not a question easily answered but I firmly believe that (as with other musical disciplines) the appropriate guidance from a skilled teacher can enhance and develop the natural ability and talent required of any conductor.
As with instrumental playing, there are many different levels to consider. A basic technique of direction can most certainly be taught, and for anyone working with ensembles in music education or community music making arguably should be - a bit like driving a car, it can be dangerous to let novices loose before they have learned the consequences of their actions! Beyond that, we are into a wide variety of skills which contribute to make up the complex package that is a successful conductor. These include score study and preparation, rehearsal technique and strategy, leadership skills, knowledge of instrument and vocal techniques, programming and many others.
What I do not believe in is the production
of clones. One can often spot a student's teacher from the way they
conduct: for such an individual and personal activity I cannot see how
copying the gestures of a stocky 80 year old man of 5 feet 6 inches
height can help a 25 year old who is 6 foot 3 and as thin as a rake. But
you'd be surprised...
My teaching is therefore influenced by this fundamental principle: each individual must develop their own language of gesture and the way the teacher can best help this to happen, initially, is by helping the student to get rid of what does not help, as opposed to imposing solutions that have worked for them.
The next stage is to help the student to develop their own individual approach and physicality. This is not something which happens overnight, and it is not something which is black and white in terms of "Do this". I constantly remember my studies with the great Finnish conducting teacher Jorma Panula. Often he would say next to nothing, and what he did say appeared to make little sense at the time. Very often though, during a rehearsal weeks or months later, the penny would drop and I would finally understand what he was getting at. That process of self discovery is vital in my opinion.
At present, my teaching work comprises the following:
Royal Northern College of Music
At the RNCM we run a high level postgraduate conducting course
leading either to an MMus or PGDip qualification. The course is closely
aligned to our acclaimed and unique Junior Fellowship programme. A
feature of this course is the amount of podium time afforded to
students, and because of this the minimum standard is high. Many
students on the course have already undertaken a significant amount of
study and the audition process is highly competitive. Students on the
course can expect advice and tuition from the permanent faculty (Clark
Rundell, Baldur Bronnimann and myself) as well as a wide variety of
visiting conductors who in recent years have included Mark Elder,
Gianandrea Noseda, Mark Shanahan, Jac van Steen, Martyn Brabbins,
Stansislav
Skrowaczewski, Yan Pascal Tortelier,
Andre de Ridder and many others.
We also operate an external annual weekend course (details here) and exciting developments are afoot for other part time opportunities to study conducting at the RNCM - check back soon for more details.
Another RNCM based option is the delivery of CPD training to Music Services. Please contact me for further information about this.
University of Manchester
A new initiative just getting off the ground will provide a number
of opportunities for students in the University music department to
study conducting. This will range from introductory sessions intended to
give beginners a solid foundation, to a more advanced class, to support
for conductors of the many student led orchestras and ensembles within
the University Music Society. Anyone with an interest in conducting who
is considering where to go for an undergraduate music degree is welcome
to contact me for information about the programme we are developing in
Manchester.
Royal Air Force
Conducting forms a significant part of the professional development
training undertaken within the RAF Music Service. Conducting is studied
for 12 days a year over 3 years, leading to internal promotion
qualifications and an external LRSM diploma.
Canford Summer School
I teach the wind band conducting course at Canford alongside Tim
Reynish and Philip Scott. This is a terrific summer master class of one
weeks duration suitable for all conductors, not just those with an
interest or specialism in wind music. Participants range from doctoral
level conducting students to military musicians to orchestral conductors
seeking some expertise in wind training to conductors working in
education and the non-professional sector. It's also a truly great
party. Details
here.
Private Lessons & Courses
I do take private students although I firmly believe that conducting is
a practical sport and not one which can effectively be studied purely in
the realms of the theoretical. My conscience therefore prevents me from
taking money from people just to discuss how one might, if one were ever
to have the opportunity, wave ones arms around in Beethoven's 1st
symphony. On the other hand, if you are specifically preparing for an
audition, concert, course or competition, or have some videos of
rehearsals or concerts that you would like to review, or would like me
to come along to a rehearsal you are taking, please feel free to get in
touch.
I can also help with preparation for diplomas (DipABRSM, LRSM, LLCM etc.) and often run small group workshops for those looking for some introductory training.
As you will have gathered, teaching conducting is something I am passionately interested in, so please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
I have also carried out some research into different approaches around the world to the training of conducting. You can read an introductory article here.