An Examination of Undergraduate Conductor Practice Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate conductors’ personal approaches to conducting practice, practice time allocation, and beliefs about their conducting abilities. Participants ( N = 126) were undergraduate conductors enrolled in basic conducting courses at 17 NASM (National Association of Schools of Music)–accredited institutions. Our findings indicated that “patterns” and “dynamics” were the most practiced conducting behaviors. “Sing or hum musical lines” and “silent conducting practice” were the most used practice strategies. Through responses to open-ended items, participants shared that hand independence was the most challenging conducting skill and wished that it was discussed more by their conducting instructor, while “conducting patterns” was the skill that came most naturally. Undergraduate conductors practiced an average of 48 minutes per week across 2 to 3 days, and during practice sessions they used a score almost three fourths of the time. Implications for conducting practice and curricula are discussed.