Leadership strategies in conducting rehearsals within training orchestra contexts

Abstract

The need for leadership training in the practice of conducting deserves further discussion, both in relation to conductors’ perception of their own roles as well as the needs of the musicians in their orchestras. In the training of young conductors and the literature pertaining to it, emphasis is usually placed on baton technique, musicianship, repertoire and historical awareness while motivational and leadership skills are generally left to be acquired from on the job training. This research proposes that such skills are too central to the role of a successful conductor to be overlooked. Since orchestras are made up of people, people management skills can be valuable in helping the conductor gain maximum support from the musicians. This research explores if existing modern leadership and people management strategies from other domains may be relatable or translatable to the practice of conducting and, if so, how they might be incorporated into a conductor’s skillset, particularly in the context of training orchestras. This thesis reports on two related research projects. The first project trials Pragmatic Inquiry conducted during the concert preparation of Takemitsu’s Tree Line with a New Music ensemble to determine its applicability to help conductors formulate rehearsal strategy. The second project examines the rehearsal of Elgar’s First Symphony with a conservatorium orchestra in relation to Robert Katz’s three skills of an effective administrator, to examine how technical, human and conceptual skills are employed by a conductor in practice.