ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Conducting

What makes San Diego State University’s conducting program unique?
The graduate conducting program offers a limited number of students intensive experience in directed score study, podium experience, and professional organizational skills. Coursework includes classes in music research, seminars in music theory, musicology, music literature, ensemble performance and advanced performance studies in conducting. Everyone who is accepted into the Graduate Conducting Program at SDSU will be expected to help maintain the high standard of excellence within the School of Music and Dance and College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.  Upon successful admission to the program, each student will assist the Directors of Choral, Orchestral, and Wind Studies with all primary area (Choral, Orchestral, and/or Wind) ensembles as member and/or conductor.  Each student will assist with undergraduate conducting classes and will either be given or expected to create conducting opportunities both on and off campus, ranging from chamber music, to pit conducting musicals or operas, to a choral/orchestral concerts presented at a local churches or other venues, and/or to new music ensembles.

Guaranteed Podium Time and Practical Experience
Depending upon previous teaching experience, every Conducting graduate student will have the opportunity to direct one of the on-campus ensembles during their tenure of study at SDSU.  As a director of an ensemble on the SDSU campus, the normal duties and responsibilities that come with a position of this nature would be maintained and upheld in a professional manner.  The responsibilities include musical decisions such as programming and possible collaboration with other ensembles (choral or instrumental), recruited or curricular), and all administrative duties (attendance, seating charts, program notes, constructing the actual program for concerts, advertising/promotion of the ensemble to increase membership, assigning section leaders, securing venues for concerts, organizing run-out performances at schools, and other projects and duties that surface). Learning by doing, through real-life experience, is the best way to learn and retain valuable information as a budding conductor.

Conducting Graduate Students focus on Gesture, Movement, Score Study, Rehearsal Techniques, Warmups, Group Vocal Technique/Pedagogy, Sung-Language (Diction), Literature, and Score Analysis
In many of the strongest and most reputable Masters and Doctoral Programs, the focus on analysis of scores, music history, and theoretical knowledge sometimes outweighs the time spent on the practical side of being a conductor.  While these aspects of being a complete conductor are vital, practical experience and mastering the teaching of music is often not focused upon.  At SDSU, communication through gesture, the solidification of rehearsal techniques, and recognizing, analyzing and employing effective teaching skills will be a priority.  Conductors are teachers.  If a conductor cannot communicate to an ensemble gesturally or verbally, then quality music making will never be attained.  Conductors who cannot teach and demonstrate how music can be performed through gesture are ineffective.  A graduate in Conducting from San Diego State University will be equipped with musical, theoretical, historical, gestural, physical, psychological, philosophical, and practical knowledge necessary to succeed in a career as a Conductor (Academic, Semi-Professional, or Professional), Music Educator, Church Musician, Choirmaster, Professor of Music or Conducting, or the like.

Lessons - Individual and Group Format
Each student will receive individual lessons and/or group lessons on a weekly or monthly basis, respectively.  During these lessons, the content could include reflection and critiques on a previous rehearsal lead by that student, gesture, analysis of scores, discussion of sung-language/diction and I.P.A., rehearsal techniques, warm-ups, or anything else pertinent to that particular student’s needs.  In a group lesson format, open discussions and conversation about gesture, group techniques, observations, reflections, and other topics occur among peers, guest clinicians, and professors.

How do I apply? What if I do not have substantial conducting experience?
The first, and best, thing a prospective student can do is to assemble and send a 15-30 minute DVD to the corresponding Choral, Orchestral, or Wind conducting faculty that displays your ability to run a rehearsal and conduct in a live performance. (For Choral Conducting, please also include a vocal warmup.)  The conducting faculty member will provide individualized feedback regarding applying to the program.

After applying to the San Diego State University Graduate Program, a candidate will be invited to campus for an audition/interview.  Admitted students who show considerable promise, but who may not have substantial conducting background, will be immersed in remedial courses or activities and act as an Assistant to fellow Student Conductors and to the Director of their corresponding area during their first semester of study.  After the first or second semester, such a student would then be assigned to the appropriate ensemble for them to direct in order to gain experience and function as an effective conductor of the ensemble.

Can I pursue a conducting graduate degree as a PART-TIME student? Is there a residency requirement?
SDSU is open to the idea of accepting well-qualified students on a part-time basis who possess significant experience and who may hold a significant position in the field already, but is unable to leave that position.  SDSU will address part-time inquiries on a case-by-case basis.

What is the difference between a Master of Music degree and the Advanced Artist Diploma?
The Artist Diploma is designed for students who function at the professional level yet who desire additional applied and practical training in a specific performance area. It has fewer units than the Master of Music degree. The Master of Music program has more units, including academic coursework, combined with applied and practical performance experience.

In order to provide the level of instruction and mentorship so critical to the development of highly skilled instrumental conductors, the School of Music and Dance limits the number of candidates in the graduate conducting program.

For additional information about the graduate program in instrumental or choral conducting, please contact:

Matthew Rowe, Director of Orchestral Activities

Shannon Kitelinger, Director of Bands

Dr. Patrick Walders, Director of Choral Activities