Conducting Core
The conducting core, in combination with ear training, harmony, arranging, tonal harmony and counterpoint, and music technology courses, will provide you with a broad-based musical vocabulary, important skills for your major studies, and a well-rounded musical background.
For more writing and arranging information, also see the Glossary of Terms Used and Recommended Reading List.
The conducting core courses for all majors other than music education and music therapy are COND-211: Conducting 1 and COND-212: Conducting 2, or COND-216: Conducting 1 with Live Keyboard Ensemble and COND-217: Conducting 2 with Live Keyboard Ensemble. By the successful completion of the two courses, students will have the basic knowledge and technique for conducting and rehearsing instrumental and vocal ensembles in a variety of styles, genres, and songs, including their own compositions. They will be able to evaluate and analyze scores in preparation for conducting rehearsals and performances.
The following is required of all students except for music education and music therapy majors, who have major-specific conducting requirements: students must successfully complete ET-211: Ear Training 3 or ET-231: Solfège 1 before enrolling in COND-211 or COND-216.
Upon completion of the conducting core, students will:
- conduct instrumental and vocal music in a variety of styles and genres, including modern music with mixed and odd meters;
- express a variety of tempos, articulations, dynamics, phrasing, and expressions through conducting gestures;
- understand the standard setups of an orchestra and orchestral score;
- analyze scores, including standard transpositions and clefs, and expressive/performance terminology;
- make informed interpretive decisions based on score analysis;
- anticipate and plan for rehearsal problems based on score analysis; and
- develop deep knowledge of some essential repertoire.
The conducting core consists of two courses:
or