This semester I had the pleasure of taking conducting at Lagrange College. I didn't think the class would be easy, but I didn't expect it to be as difficult as it was. As a performer, you become used to the concept of displaying an art form for an audience to see. You go on a journey which includes auditioning, rehearsing, and eventually performing. Your art is your body, and your body is your art. With that brings a great deal of pressure. However, it is nothing like the pressure that comes with conducting. Below are a few takeaways from my Conducting class.
Pattern is only the Beginning: In conducting you take basic musicianship and performance skill to the next level. Like soloist, conductors offer their bodies as art. The difference is that a conductor's art is responsible for leading others' art. You must stay true to what is within you (knowing the music, as well as what you bring to it), be connected to your ensemble, AND be in the moment. This alone is enough to prove that a conductor's job is far more than conducting a pattern. Knowing patterns is very important, but it is only the beginning.
You can't hide: As I previously mentioned, the conductor is responsible for leading the ensemble. With that responsibility comes a terrifying fact. The ensemble is watching you! When singing in the choir, there is a feeling of unity and protection. Knowing that, there are several others beside you can be very comforting. When standing in front of a group there is still a feeling of unity, but not so much protection. I managed to get more used to it as the semester went on, but it sure was rough at first.
Do your homework! There is SO much information that you have to know going into a rehearsal. You have to know all the voice parts, how they fit together, how the voices fit the piano part, and more. All of those things have to be going through your mind while still being able to react to what you hear in the moment. You can't possibly balance all this information if you don't study the music extensively.
