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  • Benefits of thematic programming

    Explore composers' responses to an idea in depth and breadthDeepen players' and audiences' connection to the musicFocusses marketing efforts and capture new audiencesOpportunities for collaboration and cross-curricular linksOpportunities for creativity and non-musical elements in performance

    How to create a themed program

    Specific themes vs. Broad ThemesExample program & extra-musical elementsMake a huge list of related works then cull it downUse techniques discussed in prior episodes to create shape of program

    Download the full details of themed programs including program notes, list of works, photos and non-musical elements:

    The Sound of ArtAn Invitation to the Dance including Death by Tango (Soundcloud) by Edward FairlieBeyond the Stars

    Action Steps

    Pick a theme and find 5 pieces that fit the themeWrite down who is the target audience for this theme and 5 places you could advertise to this audiencePick one image that could be the program cover

    Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

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  • Discerning quality and appropriateness when selecting music.

    What does artistic excellence look and sound like?

    ExpectationsForm, shape & designOrchestration & densityStyleDevelopmentIdiomMusical validityAppeal & interest to players, audience and usBeing the adult in the room - training musical palates rather than pandering

    Download the Determining Excellence Checklist

    Blog post: Why can't the kids pick their own music? {LINK to blog}

    Stephen Budiansky's Washington Post article: The kids play great, but that music...

    How to develop your own discernment and taste

    Getting out of the rehearsal roomListening beyond your ensemble/genreListening to great (and bad!) performancesListen outside classical music

    Musical Inspiration for Conductors (Youtube playlist)

    Appropriateness

    How to listenWhere to listen

    How to select music that is appropriate for your:

    EnsembleOccasionAudience

    Download the Determining Appropriateness Checklist

    Action Steps

    Select a work that is new to you and assess its artistic excellence using the checklist.Select an upcoming performance in your calendar. Assess the work from Step 1 for its appropriateness to that event using the checklist.

    Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

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  • 4 best sources for quality repertoire and how to use them

    1. Repertoire lists

    State lists & festival listsTeaching Music Through Performance Comprehensive List (2019) - Band, Orchestra & ChoirFrank Ticheli's List in the MBM Times MagazinesBest Music for High School Band (book)Best Music for Young Band (book)World Association for Symphonic Bands & EnsemblesTim Reynish (UK Conductor)

    2. Member-contributed content sites

    Windrep.orgBand Directors Facebook Group

    3. A shortlist of quality publishers (not the usual suspects!)

    Brolga Music Publishing (Australia)Maecenas Music (UK)Piles Music (Spain)Manhattan Beach Music (USA)Bandquest - American Composer's Forum (USA)Windependence - Boosey & HwakesFJH Music (US)Grand Mesa Music (US)C Alan Publications (US)G&M Brand (UK)Barnhouse (US)DeHaske/Amstel (Europe)Bravo Music (Japan)

    4. Self-published composers

    Steven BryantMichael MarkowskiJodie BlackshawJames Stephenson

    Template for your own repertoire list

    4 do's and don'ts of researching repertoire

    Don't just research pieces and composers you already knowDon't just listen to one recordingDo listen all the way throughDo look at the score

    Action Steps

    Start your own repertoire list. Download the template and start entering pieces you've done and pieces you're considering for your ensemble.Visit a publisher you haven't heard of before and go through the detective process. Select a piece you don't know that's at your ensemble's level and listen through with the score. Add it to your repertoire list.

    Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

    Follow us on Instagram

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  • The shape, arc and drama of our performance determines the audience's experience.

    How to structure a concert

    What is the emotional arc of the performance?How do you want the audience to feel?Engaging the audience from (before) the first note

    Transfigured Night - Norwegian Chamber Orchestra (YouTube video)

    Completing The Circle - Considerations for Change in the Performance of Music, Bud Beyer (book)

    Methods for planning the shape of a concert

    Using playlists to plan transitionsCommon pitfalls in concert sequencing

    Download the Concert Shapes Inspiration PDF

    Action Step

    Take music you have already selected for a performance. Write the titles on small pieces of paper. Play with the different orders of pieces. Draw a shape of the emotional journey of the concert for each different program order.

    Share your action step with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

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  • A great program, like a memorable meal, has variety and balance.

    Elements to consider when creating balance and contrast

    StyleDurationTempoKeyHistorical PeriodFormVolume/DynamicTechnical VarietyEmotional ContentNarrative Content

    Chef's Table (Netflix)
    Download the Balanced Program Checklist

    Strategies for selecting a balanced program

    Starting with a key pieceFilling slots by genre

    Action Steps

    Select one key piece you'd like to program. Select two more pieces that balance and contrast with it, using the criteria discussed.Find and listen to two pieces for your ensemble by composers you've never heard before

    Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

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  • When you select appropriate repertoire, you can make real music in every rehearsal.

    8 common ensemble problems caused by repertoire choice and how to avoid them

    Low student engagementLow teacher engagementSlow rehearsal pace/progressUrgent rehearsal paceStudent's can't play the musicIt just sounds bad!Persistent areas of weakness/lack of developmentPoor student retention in ensembles or music program

    The 80/20 rule for choosing repertoire at the right level for your group
    Selecting achievable repertoire so you can make real music faster.

    Action Steps

    Look at your list of repertoire you have planned to program (or a past concert program). Put a '?' next to all the pieces that are in the '20' category (or are just too hard). Is it 80/20?Find one new piece that fits the '80' category for your ensemble

    Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

    Follow us on Instagram

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  • Why repertoire selection is important

    We discuss:

    How repertoire forms the basis of the teaching and learning that goes on in our rehearsalsHow repertoire communicates what we value as educatorsHow this may be our musicians' only exposure to this genre of music

    Setting Musical Goals

    The importance of planning a year aheadThe impact of setting long, medium and short term goalsWhere is your ensemble now? What skills do they currently have?Where do you want them to be in 12 months?What skills do they currently have?What skills & knowledge do they need to build to progress to the next ensemble or their next destination (college, community, music advocate/appreciator)

    Where are they at now? Making A Skills Inventory

    Download the Yearly Skill Development Planner Template and and fill it out for your ensemble!

    How to inventory the incoming skills and abilities of the ensemble across 6 areas:

    Musical - technical skills (keys, dynamics, rhythms etc), theoretical knowledgeEnsemble - internal pulse, intonation, balance, blendListening - balance, blend, knowing how and where to listenHuman - communication within ensemble, constructive feedbackBehavioural - attentional control, not playing/speaking over others, concert etiquette, presentation skillsLife Skills & Knowledge - attitude, perseverance, confidence, performance under pressure

    Where do you want to go? Setting Long to Short Term Goals

    Set long term goals for your ensembles for the end of the yearPlot backwards from one year in the future to nowScaffold skill development from Point A to Point B

    Creating Your Performance Calendar

    Download the Performance Calendar Template

    Add Performance details - date, venue, context, audience, music neededAdd in rehearsal schedule - how many rehearsals for each performance, beware overlap between performances, public holidays, time between performances, special eventsProgress Accelerators - rehearsal camps, extended rehearsals, tours, contests, honor bands, workshops, guest cliniciansProgress Decelerators - academic exams/testing/assessment, public holidays, snow days, emergencies, illness periods eg. winter, holiday periods, breaks between rehearsalsAdd in musical goals - allow buffer room, be ready to perform at least one rehearsal earlier than you think you should, have non-performance elements ready at least 2 rehearsals before the performance

    Benefits of this process:

    No surprises!Always being prepared for each performance (both you and the ensemble!)Build in contingencies for common issuesMonitor progress throughout the year - keep track of where you areKnow at a glance where you are at any point in the year

    ACTION STEPS

    Download the Yearly Skill Development Planner Template and fill it out for your ensemble/sDownload the Performance Calendar Template and fill it out for your ensemble/s

    Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

    Keep on learning!

    Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com

    Follow us on Instagram

    Join the community on Facebook

    Check out our videos YouTube