RNCM External Courses & Supporting Studies

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Over the last 4 years I have developed a programme of external conducting training at the RNCM. These are aimed at 2 fairly broad categories of people.

Firstly, those who are seriously considering a career in conducting and are likely to be applying to the RNCM for a place on the Masters programme at some point in the future. Our conducting days and weekends serve almost as an open day, giving interested students the opportunity to see what we do and how we do it, as well as the chance for us to have a closer look at people than an audition video might permit.

Secondly, those for whom conducting is part of a wider career as a teacher, orchestral player or amateur musician. A full time conducting course is unlikely to be of interest but an intensive programme of short courses can be just what it is required.

At present, we run 2 one day courses and one 3 day weekend each year.

Conducting Days
These usually take place on a Friday and are limited to 10 participants. Those who have previously attended the weekend courses are given first choice and places are quite difficult to come by. However, occasional gaps do open up so if you are interested please contact esther.wakeman@rncm.ac.uk for the up to date position.

We usually structure these days in 2 x 3 hour sessions. The first of these will be with 2 rehearsal pianists, the second with what we call "Conductor's Ensemble" - usually a string quintet, wind quintet and a piano filling in. We find this to be an ideal teaching vehicle for these courses as it allows real, detailed work to be done on how technique affects the sound of orchestral instruments but without having to deal with the "crowd control" aspects of a full orchestra. In other words, with this kind of group we can repeat an 8 bar phrase 6 times for the conductor's benefit - not something I'd advise you try with an orchestra!

Conducting Weekend
This event runs over 3 days usually in May. There are usually around 35 participants and everybody goes away having conducted at least 4, usually 5 or 6 times. How on earth is that possible?

Well, firstly we tend to have 3 or 4 teachers going simultaneously - usually a combination of Clark Rundell, myself and guest faculty who have included Mark Shanahan, Tim Reynish, Philippe Bach Paul McGrath and Russell Cowieson. Secondly, we are lucky to have the support not only of our students but also many players from local amateur orchestras who volunteer to play over the 3 days. Thirdly, we have the space in the building.

So, over the course of the 3 days you can expect to conduct a wind or string ensemble in the introductory session, a new music group, wind band or chamber choir on the Friday evening, 2 piano classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings and then a symphony, chamber or opera orchestra in the afternoons and evening.     

Dates for the coming year are below, and details will be available on the RNCM website by searching for "short conducting courses".

• RNCM Conducting Days: 11th November 2011 and 17th February 2012. Email for details
• RNCM Conducting Weekend: Friday 4th to Sunday 6th May. Email for details

RNCM Courses for non-conductors
Many RNCM student instrumentalists and composers develop an interest in conducting. The College does not admit principal study conductors at undergraduate level (see information about Manchester University for this) but in their final year students can elect to take a 12 week conducting option which I teach along with the 2 Junior Fellows.

For postgraduates who are not 1st study conductors, there is an option to take a course which runs over 2 terms.

Of course, many RNCM students who are interested in conducting also participate in the external courses described above.

2011 RNCM Conducting Weekend Class 

Mark Shanahan teaching at the RNCM Conducting Weekend

All sessions on these courses are filmed and distributed to particpants on DVD.