Our first session: Making Waves.
Our launch series - for one and all.
For our inaugural event in October 2020, we presented ‘Making Waves’ - a series of digital sessions and masterclasses centred around the topic of conducting, but explored from a wide perspective, and accessible to the ‘layman’. Joined by high-profile esteemed guests from the music industry and guests from a general audience, this set of sessions was designed for anyone interested in learning about the art of conducting, and what it involves both on and off the platform. The series offered digital seminars, discussion platforms, networking opportunities, and a digital conducting masterclass.
This course has now finished. It will be offered again in 2021.
Making Waves guests
Find out about the international artists who joined us for Making Waves
Day one.
The job.
Seminar 1
The job.
Topics include: What does a conductor do? Preparing a score; Decision-making; Guided listening; with Founder Rebecca Miller
Seminar 2
Psyched out.
The Psychology of the orchestra
Topics include: Understanding instruments; Orchestration; Rehearsal technique; Gesture work; Orchestra as a paradigm for society; with Founder Rebecca Miller
Seminar 3
The art of persuasion.
A delicate balance between vision, conviction, negotiation, and persuasion. This session is a chance for all participants to meet, hear and chat with Rebecca Miller, along with…
Matthew VanBesien (Former Executive Director of NYPhilharmonic, former Executive Director of Houston Symphony, current president of University Musical Society, University of Michigan).
Michael Fuller (Philharmonia).
The Network
Each day finishes with an optional networking forum to share ideas and chat more informally.
Time: 1700-1800 (BST)
Day two.
Changing the lens.
Saturday, 3 October 2020
Seminar 1
Back to the floor.
The musicians’ viewpoint
Three renowned orchestral musicians discuss their perspective and what they need from a conductor. Guests:
Thomas Hancox (Britten Sinfonia)
Paul Archibald (London Mozart Players, Shrewsbury International School)
Zoë Beyers (Co-Concertmaster, BBC Philharmonic).
Seminar 2
The team.
A conductor not only works with the onstage team, but has to work within organisations and collaborate with managers and administrators. Prominent orchestral administrators and managers discuss what they look for in a conductor. Guests:
Suzanne Doyle (Askonas Holt)
Ulrike Niehoff (The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Henry Fogel (Former President, League of American Orchestras)
Seminar 3
Co-lab
Collaboration is the name of the game, and that includes working with composers and soloists. In this session we will welcome the following guests and hear their experiences of working with conductors. Guests:
Gabriela Lena Frank (award-winning composer)
Alexandra Dariescu (international concert pianist)
The Network
Each day finishes with an optional networking forum to share ideas and chat more informally.
Day three.
Masterclasses.
Sunday, 4 October 2020
Masterclass 1
Active participants submit a pre-recorded performance of them conducting, and receive one-to-one feedback and open discussion with the cohort.
Masterclass 2
Active participants submit a pre-recorded performance of them conducting, and receive one-to-one feedback and open discussion with the cohort.
Wrap-up
All participants and the lead tutor(s) have the opportunity to reflect on the experience, and to discuss issues arising and questions for the future.
Afterparty
We finish our final day with our last networking forum to share ideas and chat more informally.