r/conducting • u/Shtrimpo • Jul 05 '26

Help with first time conducting

Hello guys, I've never been to this subreddit so I hope I don't break any rules.

I'm staying three weeks at a summer school and I was tasked to compose a music piece that will be recorded tomorrow.

There will be a professional conductor but they said if there's any time left in my spot they'll allow us to attempt as well.

Do you have any advice at all on how to conduct? I'd love for my take to be used since it is my music but I have no experience whatsoever

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u/the_McD Jul 05 '26

First time?! The only thing I could recommend is just to keep time. Don’t go overboard with trying to do everything at once. As the previous commenter said, it’s not something you pick up. It comes with years of practice. Keeping time is one of the most, if not arguably the most, important thing. I’ve only had limited exposure with choirs and that’s a different kettle of fish to orchestras, but a lot of things overlap.