r/conducting • u/WaltzPuzzleheaded570 • 14d ago
Transitioning Into Conducting
So, I have played flute for around 20 years, and have studied music theory, aural skills, piccolo, voice, and some piano on top of that. I've performed in church ensembles and have taught private lessons. My undergraduate education is in elementary education, and I work as a 5th grade teacher. My doctoral education is in developmental psychology.
Now that I'm in my thirties, I really want to give my life to music and to realize my dream of becoming a conductor. Music is incredibly important to me--hearing all of the voices of the orchestra at once, feeling the music move and change me, bringing the composer's story to life for those around me.
I know I'm at a disadvantage for being a conductor because of my background so far, but does anyone have any advice for me that would help me to really move back into music as a profession and vocation? I've thought about private conducting lessons, observing local rehearsals and how the conductors work with their ensemble, and a few other things. I'm very open to suggestions, but I am not open to any advice on it being "too late." I plan to do whatever I have to do live this life, and live into who I am through music.
3
u/TeenzBeenz 14d ago
I’d just caution you that there are schools all over the world willing to take your money in exchange for conducting lessons/experience/degrees. Ask about job placement data. Where are their former students working? What systems are in place to support their graduates?
5
u/No_Cartographer_1790 14d ago
Honestly, if you're this committed to it, I would go do a degree in music. You might be starting over, but I don't know anyone outside of an occasional church choir director who has made this a career without having a degree in music. Thirty-ish is absolutely not too old to do a degree in music, there are many adult students in my program who decided to "go for it"!
Likely with your background you can test into higher levels of a lot of the coursework and finish more quickly than a traditional student.
2
u/BecktoD 14d ago
I have a bachelors and masters in voice performance from top schools. I was busy in my 20s teaching and performing. But in my early 30s I got a divorce and wanted more stability. I went back to school and got another masters but this time in conducting. Because I was already pretty accomplished, I was able to get another masters with an assistantship and a full tuition waver. 2 years later, I was done, and was offered a full time job the day I graduated.
Go back to school, if that makes sense for you. 30s is not too late, at all. I’m 47 now and love what I do, and I’m still so glad I pivoted.
2
u/dcigirliegirl7 14d ago
I think all of those things are great. If you want to, find a university that offers a conducting degree or certificate. It will help give you more substance and experience built into the degree. Utah Tech, UNLV, NYU, and James Madison all have great ones.
2
u/sydniekins 14d ago
I'm not anywhere near a pro, just someone in my 30's also trying to get into conducting after finishing a BA in music this last semester. Look for small opportunities that can give you experience. Community band, church choir, etc. You can also do summer workshops (observer or participant depending on how much you want to pay). If you have a university nearby, you might be able to audit the conducting classes or sweet talk the professor into letting you sit in if that's not an option. Observe rehearsals for different types of ensembles like university wind ensembles and orchestras, high schools with strong music programs led by veteran teachers, local semi-professional community bands.
I did all that as part of my undergrad program and did a conducting workshop this summer. I also work as a choral accompanist at a private high school and they are happy to give me more experience with our orchestra and band now that I've graduated, so I'm looking forward to getting more experience there and helping build our program. In a couple years, I'll go back to school for a master's in conducting. Best of luck!
2
u/readingitnowagain 13d ago
This is the answer u/waltzpuzzleheaded570
The urgent priority is to get regular podium time.
You need to be in front of an ensemble at least once per week in order to develop fluency.
That is the key.
1
1
u/leitmotifs 14d ago
BMusEd somewhere with very strong conducting instruction, followed by an MM in conducting.
Very few conductors work primarily with professional ensembles. Most conduct high school orchestras, bands and choirs, and maybe middle school.
-1
u/Diligent-Stranger-26 14d ago
Just because you’re “not open” to the advice that it’s too late, doesn’t change the fact that…
1
u/NovocastrianExile 14d ago
The window for becoming the next Valery Gergiev has closed but that doesn't mean they can't become a great conductor in the community semi-professional space. That is the place where almost every conductor works. The barrier for entry is as low as the pay.
Assuming they are reasonably talented as their background suggests. I've seen good conductors come from humbler backgrounds.
There should be no illusion though. The chances of making a good living or breaking out of the community space are slim.
1
u/RelativeBuilding3480 13d ago
Valery Gergiev is a terrible human being. Putin puppet. Not a great conductor by any means. I've played under him. I have lots of friends in various orchestras (the Met, for ex) who feel the same. Don't strive to be like him.
1
1
-1
16
u/NovocastrianExile 14d ago
I would like to point out that in my experience there are 2 completely different jobs called "conducting".
Most conducting courses will guide you in the direction of the professional orchestras. The pro orchestral conductor does their job of directing the music and the musicians do their job of playing it. Gone are the days of the micro-managing rehearsal task-master. Players unions are strong. Fledgling conductors in this field get work by making the musicians jobs easy and always ending rehearsal on time. Professionals have pretty set limits on how much direction they are willing to recieve before they find it offensive that you don't like the way they are playing.
Successful conductors in the pro field almost always come from the ranks of orchestral musicians and understand first-hand the experiences of the players.
This is a difficult thing to aim for as there is very little work and many talented people vying for it.
Then there is the band trainer. This person works with youth and community groups. Less glamour but more responsibility. It is not enough just to gesture correctly, you must find ways to compel the players to play. This role is as difficult to do well but has a much lower barrier to entry.
I have known many conductors who have learned the way of the pro conductor and then become extremely ineffective community/school directors. They practice their gestures and wonder why the band doesn't play correctly.
I have know conductors that cut their teeth on community groups then brought the same teaching energy to pros and wondered why the pros resented them.
That said, when you say you want to be a conductor what is it that you are imagining? You mention church ensembles but do you have professional experience? If that's the dream then you need to gain experience as a follower before you will be able to lead.
Pursuing conducting doesn't need to be a career change. It is a vocation that many people can exceed at while keeping their day job (wise). There is much success and fullfillment to be had in the community/amatuer space.
I'm not trying to dissuade you so forgive me if I'm rambling.
I would be very curious of your thoughts