Skills Required Of a Conductor

Conducting

Written by Bruce Gale

onductors need to develop a wide range of skills. The following is a list of the major requirements:

	Be familiar with a wide range of musical styles.
	Be aware of the problems of musical interpretation.
	Be able to read a full score.
	Have a good knowledge of the capabilities of the various instruments in the ensemble.
	Recognise pitch inaccuracy.
	Be able to maintain a proper balance and blend within the ensemble.
	Use clear and unambiguous conducting gestures.
	Establish a rapport with the players that enables him to elicit a cooperative response from the ensemble.