Conducting Minor

The conducting minor is an organized program of courses for students interested in conducting. The minor in conducting will consist of 10–12 credit hours, including core courses in conducting, orchestration, and specialized advanced electives, as well as opportunities for individual instruction (Directed Study in Conducting). Students will decide on one of four tracks: contemporary (i.e., orchestral), theater music direction, choral, and music education.

Through study within the conducting minor, students will develop strong technical and experiential conducting training in preparation for the concert stage (orchestra and large ensembles), recording studio, scoring stage (film), orchestra pit (Broadway shows), and/or education profession. They will acquire specific baton/hand expression and vocal communication skills and techniques relevant to instrumental ensembles, choral ensembles, or music educators while also gaining a podium presence of assured, confident poise that inspires efficient cooperation among instrumental and vocal performers. The minor includes increased score reading and preparation skills in addition to enhanced orchestration study. Effective and efficient rehearsal techniques will prepare the student to successfully present public and/or recorded performances of a composer's work. Choral and music education tracks will teach effective vocal warm-up.

The conducting minor provides a powerful accompaniment to any Berklee student's degree major, leading to more complete musicians. Professional writing majors will benefit greatly from a high level of competency in conducting as it is a natural component in a composer's arsenal of abilities, necessary to add more flexibility in professional endeavors.