Mastering Conducting Techniques

Mastering Conducting Techniques

Camerata

Camerata: A Guide to Organizing and Directing Small Choruses distinguishes itself from all other works on choral conducting by starting at the very beginning—the conception and purpose of an ensemble—and continuing through all other aspects of rehearsing and organizing a chorus to performance and reception. Wenk offers basic information on getting started, recruiting singers, planning programs, rehearsing music, publicizing concerts, sharing responsibilities, financing the operation, knowing the law, and finally getting better. He also offers detailed suggestions for creating an executive group to manage the choir as well ideas for repertoire and programming. In addition to a step-by-step guide, Camerata provides a wealth of supplementary material including a prospectus, a statement of goals and means, programs, organizational documents, a singer’s guide, documents for organizing a folksong competition, a list of websites for publishers and choral federations, and an annotated bibliography of works on choral conducting. Wenk also includes more than twenty original Christmas carols and carol arrangements for performance by your small chorus. This work will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in starting a new choral organization or improving an existing ensemble. Although the book focuses on chamber choirs, Wenk’s practical suggestions, based on more than forty years of experience as a choral conductor, can be easily applied to any choral organization.

Basic Conducting Techniques

The Fifth Edition of "Basic Conducting Techniques" provides sound, practical, hands-on procedures, techniques, guidance, and materials for the beginning conducting class. Joseph A. Labuta, an experienced musician and educator, employs a broad repertory of musical excerpts and scores, most reduced to four-part format, which enables students to work with an ensemble of class members to practice conducting and rehearsal techniques at each class meeting. Features: Along with each carefully selected example from music literature are specific instructions keyed to the text, identifying conducting problems the student must master to develop conducting skills. Excerpts include orchestral materials, band scores, as well as choral music excerpts, choral scores, and choral rehearsal techniques. Modular format for self-paced learning; provisions for ongoing student evaluation, including rating scales, checklists, and analytical guides. Alternate approaches for use of the materials provided to the instructor. New to the Fifth Edition: Transposed parts for the musical excerpts in Part III. Examples of score analysis for students to use as models. More detail and elaboration of instruction preceding the excerpts. A Mastery section for challenge and evaluation. Additional photographs to clarify and model techniques.