Expressive Conducting

The Elements of Expressive Conducting

The Elements of Expressive Conducting begins with a synthesis of various movement theories which allow beginning conducting students to understand how best to use their body as an expressive instrument. Strategies for developing musical expression beyond pedagogical execution are discussed in each chapter. The text further explores merging musical preparation with a healthy, tension-free approach to an individual's movement. Readers will also find strategies for developing the coordination between the ear and body; ways to transfer "every day" movements to the art of conducting; and suggestions for building to a professional level of success.FeaturesExercises which stimulate the imagination and inform the bodyVideo examples of these exercises on the publisher's websiteDrawings of imaginative ways to consider beat patternsMusical examples chosen to reinforce specific conducting fundamentalsPractical strategies drawn from the author's more than four decades of pedagogical experience

Expressive Conducting

Expressive Conducting: Movement and Performance Theory for Conductors applies the insight of movement and performance theory to the practice of conducting, offering a groundbreaking new approach to conducting. Where traditional conducting pedagogies often place emphasis on training parts of the body in isolation, Expressive Conducting teaches conductors to understand their gestures as part of an interconnected system that incorporates the whole body. Rather than emphasizing learning specific patterns and gestures, this book enables student and professional conductors to develop a conducting technique that is centered around expressing the themes of the music. Drawing parallels to the worlds of acting, this text treats the body as the conductor’s instrument. Coaching notes derived from years of experience as a performance movement specialist offer readers approachable methods for eliminating communication barriers—both conscious and subconscious—to encourage optimal performance, highlighting acting theory, movement exercises and the significance of weight distribution. Unlike other conducting approaches, this text understands that conducting resonates throughout the entire body and is not conveyed by the hands or baton alone. With a comprehensive consideration of the conductor’s body and movements, featuring over 50 original illustrations, Expressive Conducting advances strategies for improving one’s conducting skills in rehearsal and performance. Jerald Schwiebert has developed a practical language for expressive conducting. Together, Schwiebert and Barr present a text that is suitable for conducting students, instructors, and professionals alike.

Expressive Conducting