ConductIT – Orchestral conducting, level 1 (VCI102)

Content

ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 1 is a course for students who already have experience in the field of music performance, for instance as performers, educators, or conductors and who seek a course in orchestral conducting. The course of study involves several different topics, e.g. conducting practice, conducting technique and theory, as well as entrepreneurship and career development.

The conducting practice will consist of UiS-organized sessions on-campus (Dirigentuka - five days in August, two or three weekend sessions on-campus) and home assignments where students are expected to facilitate access to their own conducting practice at home, organized by the student. This is resolved either by the student collaborating with local ensembles or by organizing small practice ensembles (a minimum of 3-4 musicians are required). The number of such sessions is to be set by agreement between teacher and student. Many students are already conductors of one or more ensembles, in which case using them as a home practice ensemble is a good solution.

The website www.conductit.eu contains a wide array of study materials on conducting. In this course, the students will study selected chapters of the material and will be required to submit associated written assignments.

The course of study may include work in the following subjects:

• Conducting/instruction
• Practice (on-campus and with the students’ own group/ensembles at home)
• Knowledge of ensembles
• Knowledge of instruments
• Aural training
• Music theory
• Score study
• Knowledge of history and music history
• Knowledge of repertoire
• Knowledge of the music business and career opportunities
• Leadership and management

Students who complete and pass ConductIT - orchestral conducting, level 1 may apply for the course ConductIT - orchestral conducting, level 2.

Learning outcome

After completing and passing the examination for the course, candidates will have acquired the knowledge, skills and general proficiency that will enable them to:

General proficiency

• display a fundamental understanding of the conductor’s role and function in rehearsal and concert situations and as a director and organizer
• display a fundamental understanding of assessing quality in ensemble performance
• set goals for their own learning and development as a conductor
• set goals for ensemble development

Knowledge

• fundamental knowledge of key repertoire
• fundamental knowledge of score reading and analysis
• fundamental knowledge of the orchestra and its instruments

Skills

• demonstrate fundamental conducting skills
• demonstrate fundamental skills in the study and understanding of scores

Required prerequisite knowledge

General qualification requirements for admission to the ConductIT study program:

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification ("Generell studiekompetanse")
• English language proficiency

Required prerequisite knowledge for ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 1

Applicants will be reviewed by the faculty conducting audition committee to determine if their prerequisite knowledge qualifies for admission to this specific course. This evaluation is based on the applicants’ submitted audition materials such as their documented educational background, CV, application text, and videos.

To qualify for the course ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 1 the applicant must show that they have general musicianship training and prior experience in the orchestral genre, for instance through prior training or education or through practice as a performer, educator, conductor, composer or similar. Their submitted application material should include a motivation letter that outlines their personal development goals. The application should also briefly outline a plan for how the student will organize access to their own ensemble(s), as required in this course (see below). The submitted video should be representative of the applicants’ current level of conducting. In the evaluation process the committee will assess if the applicant successfully can engage in and complete this course.

Exam

Coursework requirements

Course teacher(s)

Study Adviser:

Course coordinator:

Method of work

Language of instruction

English and Norwegian (Norwegian language knowledge is not a prerequisite for the students)

Forms of work

The course consists of the following forms of work

• Participation at Dirigentuka and on-campus weekend sessions.
• Individual on-line lessons based on video recordings of students own conducting practice (recordings from Dirigentuka, weekend sessions, students home assignments and/or any other relevant practice).
• Self-study of content at www.conductit.eu
• Conducting practice "at home" with the students’ own ensemble(s)
• Participation in discussions and submission of written assignments

Course assessment

Procedures for student assessment within the course have been drawn up by the faculty and adapted for this type of performance course. The course assessment is in accordance with the University of Stavanger’s quality system.

Open for

Course assessment

Literature