| DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC   

ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR’S INSTITUTE


The greatest choral music of creative geniuses such Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven includes orchestral forces, and serious choral conductors must learn how to manage these resources. The primary goal of the Conductor’s Institute is to provide you with the experience necessary to succeed with the orchestra. An orchestra of professional players will be present for three sessions as Dr. Kenneth Sheppard and Mr. Brad Bouley lead master classes in conducting. The works to be studied, rehearsed and performed are Schubert’s Mass in G and Martini’s Domine ad Aduvandum me Festina. For the Schubert we will use the Kalmus full score (G. Schirmer vocal score). For the Martini we will use the Concordia edition. Each participants should arrive with a full score in hand. Conductors who purchase a set of string parts prior to the institute can leave the institute with a fully bowed set of parts. No photocopies will be allowed. Scores and parts should be purchased from your local music store before you come to the Conductor's Institute.

Dr. Sheppard will lead master classes designed to provide suggestions on effective ways of addressing problems particular to working with choral/orchestral forces. He will focus on clarity and expressiveness in manual conducting.

Mr. Brad Bouley will lead daily conducting labs to assist participants in developing good habits in manual conducting. A portion of the conducting lab will be devoted to preparing you to conduct the orchestra in the evening sessions.

Dr. Ellsworth Peterson will present two lectures.


FORMAT FOR THE INSTITUTE

Chorus Austin will be in attendance each evening for rehearsals and for the final performance. An orchestra of professional musicians will be yours to conduct. All participants will engage in group and individual experiences led by Sheppard and Bouley. The goal is to ensure that your manual conducting speaks in a clear and artistic manner. All participants will attend the group manual-conducting lab each day, and all will be invited to conduct the choir with piano in rehearsals and demonstrations. In order to provide a meaningful amount of podium time, the number of conductors who actually conduct the orchestra will be limited to fifteen. The fifteen conductors will be selected based on past experience and the order in which the applications are received. If you wish to be considered as one of the fifteen orchestra conductors please submit a brief resumé of your experience to Kenneth Sheppard no later than May 15, 2009. You will then be quickly notified of the status of your application. Many choral conductors have had their first experiences with orchestra at the Conductors Institute of Southwestern University. It is not expected that you have vast experience with orchestras, just that you are a good musician.

Limit of Enrollment: 15 conductors of the orchestra - Fee: $400

25 additional conductors (no orchestra podium time) - Fee: $200

NOTE: In the event that fewer than twelve conductors have enrolled by May 15, the institute will be cancelled and your fee will be refunded.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: May 15, 2009


| UPCOMING EVENTS

SPRING2008

SU Wind Ensemble
7 pm, Sat, Apr 19
Alma Thomas Theater

SU Orchestra
SU Chorale
7 pm, Sun, Apr 27
Alma Thomas Theater

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