The Art of Conducting Technique

SKU: GI.G-9915

ISBN 9781622774371.

In the world of music conducting there exist fundamental practices shared by all conductors regardless of the type of ensemble they conduct. Foundations of Conducting Technique is a comprehensive beginning conducting text—compl ete with pictures, online videos, and supplemental conducting etudes—to facilitate the development of a clear and expressive conducting technique. In this volume, author Frank Eychaner addresses three major areas for beginning conductors: gestural technique, score study, and leadership. For gestural technique, the text details a number of technical skills, including the appropriate use of the body, the roles of the right and left hand, basic conducting patterns and their derivatives, an application of Laban movement analysis, the importance of the conducting planes, and conducting with varied articulations (staccato, legato, and marcato), among others. Using direct language, Eychaner details clear cause and effect relationships between gesture and sound. In addressing score study, Eychaner states that all conducting gestures must be guided b y an accurate and artistic aural image of a musical work. Rather than advocating for one particular approach, this volume presents a number of possible score study methods for the student to explore. The author also includes a convenient and complete score study checklist. Finally, the text addresses how to be an effective and ethical leader from the podium. Eychaner presents the transformational leadership model—a holistic and dynamic approach to leadershipâ€â€� �as a positive pathway for improving the conductor’ s effectiveness on and off the podium. Supplementing the text are music etudes to help students develop the technical skills of the conductor. The exercises are intentionally simple, consisting mostly of rhythmic materials and folk-like melodies, so that conductors can focus on mastery of gestural skills. Foundations of Conducting Technique is a major contribution to conducting pedagogy and an extraordinary resource that distills the essence of effective conducting gesture. An ideal text for undergraduate conducting courses, it is also a practical reference for anyone employed in the field, including music educators, church musicians, leaders of community ensembles, and professional conductors of all ensembles. Frank Eychaner, an international leader in conducting pedagogy, has been an educator and conductor for twenty-five years, working in public schools as well as with professional, collegiate, community, and church ensembles. He is currently Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where he teaches conducting, choral methods, and choral pedagogy, and conducts the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Men’s and Women’s Choirs. Figure 29.5. Duruflé Requiem. Figure 29.6. Handel's Messiah. Of the Father's Love Begotten Give Thanks Appendix A: Conducting Evaluation Form Extended Bibliography.

SKU: HL.14004918

ISBN 9780711998278. 5.5x8.5x0.266 inches. English.

This handbook was written in 1920 for private circulaton amongst members of the Conducting Class at the Royal College of Music, and published later. This is the revised version aimed at helping thise who work with choirs, orchestras, wind, military or brass bands, as well as teachers of music in all schools and music colleges.

SKU: GI.G-9524

This remarkable book contains twelve short musical excerpts of great instrumental works—“mini scores” designed to accompany any instrumental conducting texts and intended to be performed in any instrumental conducting class. Each excerpt presents specific challenges for developing conductors to explore as they acquire knowledge, gain experience, and develop conducting techniques. The orchestration of each excerpt is designed to be flexible while at the same time providing high-quality music for use in any instrumental conducting class. The full score and parts of each excerpt, all in one spiral-bound book, are designed to help any conducting student mark and memorize a score, learn to conduct using the limited instrumentation in a typical conducting class, and experience working with a wide range of repertoire. Even if players are not able to cover all the parts for an excerpt, there are still numerous possibilities for using this music in a classroom setting. States author John M. Laverty: “I hope this resource will give you the materials to enhance your level of conducting skill, and as a result give you confidence to step in front of live musicians playing real instruments and make music.” Excerpts from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1, op. 68: Mvt. IV, Adagio Fučík: The Florentiner March, op. 214 Janáček: Lachian Dances, op. 2: “Pilky” an d “Starodálv ný” Mahler: Symphony No. 3: Mvt. VI, Langsam Maurer: 12 Kleine Stück: “du Style” Mozart: Requiem, K. 626: Mvt. 1 (“Requiem”) Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition: “The Great Gate of Kiev” and “The Hut of Baba-Yaga” Schumann: Zigeunerleben (“Gypsy Life”), op. 29, No. 3 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4: Mvt. 1, Andante sostenuto, Symphony No. 6: Mvt. 2, Allegro con grazia.

SKU: GI.G-6577

“There is no doubt in my mind about the pedagogical potency of the use of the Swiss Ball for conducting study. This simple device transfers responsibility for teaching from heretoforeused verbal explanations to a new world of instruction that uses body awareness as the primary vehicle.” — James Jordan, Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball   Traditional conducting methods rely on how conductors look––not how they feel. James Jordan’s groundbreaking Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball takes the study of conducting beyond the mechanics to a higher plane. Using the Swiss Exercise Ball, everyone from the most experienced conductor to the beginner can tie into a state of awarenessthat opens the door to increased musical expression and kinesthetic awareness. With the aid of a Swiss Exercise Ball and the Body Mapping techniques described in this book, conductors can reach a new level of artistic expression and mastery. The Swiss Exercise Ball is available in four sizes from GIA Publications, and each comes with a pump. Choose the ball size based on the height of the conductor: • 45 cm ball, under 5’ tall (G-6575) • 55 cm ball, 5’ to 5’8” tall (G-6576) • 65 cm ball, 5’9” to 6’3” tall (G-6577) • 75 cm ball, 6’3” and taller (G-6578).

SKU: GI.G-6575

“There is no doubt in my mind about the pedagogical potency of the use of the Swiss Ball for conducting study. This simple device transfers responsibility for teaching from heretoforeused verbal explanations to a new world of instruction that uses body awareness as the primary vehicle.” — James Jordan, Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball   Traditional conducting methods rely on how conductors look––not how they feel. James Jordan’s groundbreaking Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball takes the study of conducting beyond the mechanics to a higher plane. Using the Swiss Exercise Ball, everyone from the most experienced conductor to the beginner can tie into a state of awarenessthat opens the door to increased musical expression and kinesthetic awareness. With the aid of a Swiss Exercise Ball and the Body Mapping techniques described in this book, conductors can reach a new level of artistic expression and mastery. The Swiss Exercise Ball is available in four sizes from GIA Publications, and each comes with a pump. Choose the ball size based on the height of the conductor: • 45 cm ball, under 5’ tall (G-6575) • 55 cm ball, 5’ to 5’8” tall (G-6576) • 65 cm ball, 5’9” to 6’3” tall (G-6577) • 75 cm ball, 6’3” and taller (G-6578).

SKU: GI.G-6576

“There is no doubt in my mind about the pedagogical potency of the use of the Swiss Ball for conducting study. This simple device transfers responsibility for teaching from heretoforeused verbal explanations to a new world of instruction that uses body awareness as the primary vehicle.” — James Jordan, Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball   Traditional conducting methods rely on how conductors look––not how they feel. James Jordan’s groundbreaking Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball takes the study of conducting beyond the mechanics to a higher plane. Using the Swiss Exercise Ball, everyone from the most experienced conductor to the beginner can tie into a state of awarenessthat opens the door to increased musical expression and kinesthetic awareness. With the aid of a Swiss Exercise Ball and the Body Mapping techniques described in this book, conductors can reach a new level of artistic expression and mastery. The Swiss Exercise Ball is available in four sizes from GIA Publications, and each comes with a pump. Choose the ball size based on the height of the conductor: • 45 cm ball, under 5’ tall (G-6575) • 55 cm ball, 5’ to 5’8” tall (G-6576) • 65 cm ball, 5’9” to 6’3” tall (G-6577) • 75 cm ball, 6’3” and taller (G-6578).

SKU: GI.G-6578

“There is no doubt in my mind about the pedagogical potency of the use of the Swiss Ball for conducting study. This simple device transfers responsibility for teaching from heretoforeused verbal explanations to a new world of instruction that uses body awareness as the primary vehicle.” — James Jordan, Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball   Traditional conducting methods rely on how conductors look––not how they feel. James Jordan’s groundbreaking Learn Conducting Technique with the Swiss Exercise Ball takes the study of conducting beyond the mechanics to a higher plane. Using the Swiss Exercise Ball, everyone from the most experienced conductor to the beginner can tie into a state of awarenessthat opens the door to increased musical expression and kinesthetic awareness. With the aid of a Swiss Exercise Ball and the Body Mapping techniques described in this book, conductors can reach a new level of artistic expression and mastery. The Swiss Exercise Ball is available in four sizes from GIA Publications, and each comes with a pump. Choose the ball size based on the height of the conductor: • 45 cm ball, under 5’ tall (G-6575) • 55 cm ball, 5’ to 5’8” tall (G-6576) • 65 cm ball, 5’9” to 6’3” tall (G-6577) • 75 cm ball, 6’3” and taller (G-6578).

SKU: GI.G-114422

ISBN 9781574632200. UPC: 884088872298.

Lyric al Conducting: A New Dimension in Expressive Musicianship is the latest soon-to-be hit from master musician and music educator Ed Lisk. The concepts and instructional techniques discussed here prompt new and different considerations for what teachers and conductors of instrumental music must strive for. Lyrical Conducting expands one's awareness through the beauty of musical expression and its direction for greater musical meaning. Many attempts have been made to define artistry, expression, and the mysteries of music's finest detail. This publication will lead you to this discovery through: enhancing expressive approaches to conducting, building poise and finesse into one's conducting body language in order to visually express music's lyricism, searching beyond notation to develop a unique and personal rendering of a composition, developing a performance vocabulary or reservoir for artistic considerations that will stimulate your artistic vocabulary, and sensitizing one's emotional response to shape the beauty and expressive qualities of a personal conducting interpretation.

SKU: HL.237719

ISBN 9781495097911. UPC: 888680698522. 9x12 inches.

Learn the essential practices of contemporary conducting. This book will teach you to use the motions, cues, patterns and practices used to lead ensembles, whether for orchestra, band, musical theater, opera, film orchestra, or other type of ensemble. You will learn techniques for keeping time, signaling musicians, and crafting your unique interpretation of the score, as well as how to command the stage presence necessary to lead a large ensemble – whether for concert performances or synching live performers to other media, such as film, recordings, musical theater and dance.

Video demonstrations and annotated scores of orchestral excerpts from Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and others illustrate and let you practice various conducting challenges, such as cadenzas, rubato and quickly changing time signatures. Also included are interviews with some of the most accomplished conductors of your time, such as John Wiliams, Lalo Schifrin, JoAnn Falletta, John Morris Russell and others, providing perspective from the concert hall podium to the Broadway pit to the Hollywood sound stage.

SKU: HL.234017

ISBN 9781495094514. UPC: 888680684419. 7.5x9.25x0.279 inches. Al Schmitt Metalliance Academy Presents.

In Al Schmitt on Vocal and Instrumental Recording Techniques, legendary producer and engineer Al Schmitt takes us into the studio and shares his process of selecting a microphone and shows us how to get the best sounds. Considerations such as song style, instrumentation, and the recording space itself are taken into account when making mic choices and determining the best placement for each. Schmitt demonstrates how to achieve the best sounds for a number of instruments – including drums, bass, piano, guitars (both acoustic and electric), organs, and horns – across many genres of music. Drawing on decades of experience in the studio, Schmitt brings a unique and invaluable perspective to not only making mic choices and their placement, but also the importance of interacting with musicians – taking their vision and preferences into account to create the most comfortable and effective recording experience for all involved. Also featured in Vocal and Instrumental Recording Techniques is an interview of Schmitt conducted by fellow METAlliance producer and engineer Ed Cherney.

SKU: GI.G-10601

ISBN 9781622776122.

This advanced orchestral conducting resource features concise discussions of advanced technical and interpretive issues for 44 major orchestral works that all conductors will perform during their careers. The brief discussions that precede each score cover the full range of issues encountered in real conducting situations, and the accompanying online videos show Maestro Itkin demonstrating the techniques for each excerpt. All music examples have been faithfully reproduced from original scores, and Maestro Itkin has also arranged each excerpt for string quintet, ideal for the conducting class setting. With nearly a thousand performances to his credit, acclaimed conductor David Itkin shares the knowledge he has acquired over his decades in the profession. The Conductor’s Craft is for both up-and-coming conductors and seasoned professionals alike, equally beneficial for personal study or for use in a classroom or ensemble setting. Click HERE watch video examples of Maestro Itkin conducting the music excerpts in this book.   This volume is a real breakthrough aid for anyone studying or teaching conducting at any level. Written by David Itkin, a most distinguished and experienced conductor and teacher, it concentrates on all the vital techniques in the teaching of the craft. The accompanying video recordings also make this volume unique. This addition to the material for teaching conducting is truly revolutionary, and the selection of examples gets successfully to the point of each subject discussed. —Samuel Adler     Composer, conductor, author     Professor Emeritus, The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music The Conductor’s Craft outlines a detailed plan and method for executing conductor training in advanced conducting studios. Itkin’s book is also an excellent reference for any teacher who instructs advanced students in a collegiate orchestral conducting program, as well as for up-and-coming professionals who are studying for a career in the field. Perhaps most important, an individual conductor can manage their own self-study with Maestro Itkin’s clear statements and explanations of the technical issues presented with each excerpt. This book gives individual conductor’s freedom to explore choices and alternatives to fix tricky passages in the provided musical examples. I love the book and will be using it in my studio. —Julius P. Williams     Artistic director and conductor, Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra     President of the International Conductors Guild How refreshing to review a conducting book that deals with specificity of gesture as it relates to the music rather than mere concepts. Bravo to Maestro David Itkin for holding the aspiring conductor to task on issues of score study, execution, and style! —Mark Gibson     Director of Orchestral Studies, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati     Author of The Beat Stops Here.

SKU: GI.G-10604

ISBN 9781622776153.

This advanced orchestral conducting resource features concise discussions of advanced technical and interpretive issues for 44 major orchestral works that all conductors will perform during their careers. The brief discussions that precede each score cover the full range of issues encountered in real conducting situations, and the accompanying online videos show Maestro Itkin demonstrating the techniques for each excerpt. All music examples have been faithfully reproduced from original scores, and Maestro Itkin has also arranged each excerpt for string quintet, ideal for the conducting class setting. With nearly a thousand performances to his credit, acclaimed conductor David Itkin shares the knowledge he has acquired over his decades in the profession. The Conductor’s Craft is for both up-and-coming conductors and seasoned professionals alike, equally beneficial for personal study or for use in a classroom or ensemble setting.   This volume is a real breakthrough aid for anyone studying or teaching conducting at any level. Written by David Itkin, a most distinguished and experienced conductor and teacher, it concentrates on all the vital techniques in the teaching of the craft. The accompanying video recordings also make this volume unique. This addition to the material for teaching conducting is truly revolutionary, and the selection of examples gets successfully to the point of each subject discussed. —Samuel Adler     Composer, conductor, author     Professor Emeritus, The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music The Conductor’s Craft outlines a detailed plan and method for executing conductor training in advanced conducting studios. Itkin’s book is also an excellent reference for any teacher who instructs advanced students in a collegiate orchestral conducting program, as well as for up-and-coming professionals who are studying for a career in the field. Perhaps most important, an individual conductor can manage their own self-study with Maestro Itkin’s clear statements and explanations of the technical issues presented with each excerpt. This book gives individual conductor’s freedom to explore choices and alternatives to fix tricky passages in the provided musical examples. I love the book and will be using it in my studio. —Julius P. Williams     Artistic director and conductor, Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra     President of the International Conductors Guild How refreshing to review a conducting book that deals with specificity of gesture as it relates to the music rather than mere concepts. Bravo to Maestro David Itkin for holding the aspiring conductor to task on issues of score study, execution, and style! —Mark Gibson     Director of Orchestral Studies, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati     Author of The Beat Stops Here.

SKU: GI.G-10607

ISBN 9781622776184.

This advanced orchestral conducting resource features concise discussions of advanced technical and interpretive issues for 44 major orchestral works that all conductors will perform during their careers. The brief discussions that precede each score cover the full range of issues encountered in real conducting situations, and the accompanying online videos show Maestro Itkin demonstrating the techniques for each excerpt. All music examples have been faithfully reproduced from original scores, and Maestro Itkin has also arranged each excerpt for string quintet, ideal for the conducting class setting. With nearly a thousand performances to his credit, acclaimed conductor David Itkin shares the knowledge he has acquired over his decades in the profession. The Conductor’s Craft is for both up-and-coming conductors and seasoned professionals alike, equally beneficial for personal study or for use in a classroom or ensemble setting.   This volume is a real breakthrough aid for anyone studying or teaching conducting at any level. Written by David Itkin, a most distinguished and experienced conductor and teacher, it concentrates on all the vital techniques in the teaching of the craft. The accompanying video recordings also make this volume unique. This addition to the material for teaching conducting is truly revolutionary, and the selection of examples gets successfully to the point of each subject discussed. —Samuel Adler     Composer, conductor, author     Professor Emeritus, The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music The Conductor’s Craft outlines a detailed plan and method for executing conductor training in advanced conducting studios. Itkin’s book is also an excellent reference for any teacher who instructs advanced students in a collegiate orchestral conducting program, as well as for up-and-coming professionals who are studying for a career in the field. Perhaps most important, an individual conductor can manage their own self-study with Maestro Itkin’s clear statements and explanations of the technical issues presented with each excerpt. This book gives individual conductor’s freedom to explore choices and alternatives to fix tricky passages in the provided musical examples. I love the book and will be using it in my studio. —Julius P. Williams     Artistic director and conductor, Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra     President of the International Conductors Guild How refreshing to review a conducting book that deals with specificity of gesture as it relates to the music rather than mere concepts. Bravo to Maestro David Itkin for holding the aspiring conductor to task on issues of score study, execution, and style! —Mark Gibson     Director of Orchestral Studies, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati     Author of The Beat Stops Here.