ConductIT – Orchestral conducting, level 1 (VCI102)

ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 1 is a course designed to offer flexible orchestral conducting training to music students, music educators and music professionals. The course is one of the specializations within the ConductIT study program, which consists of a number of individual courses in conducting. The ConductIT courses are open to international applicants, and the teaching is offered in English.

ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 1 is a course for students who already have experience in the field of music performance, for instance as performers, educators, or conductors and who seek a course in orchestral conducting. The course of study involves several different topics, e.g. conducting practice, conducting technique and theory, as well as entrepreneurship and career development.

The conducting practice will consist of UiS-organized sessions on-campus (Dirigentuka - five days in August, two or three weekend sessions on-campus) and home assignments where students are expected to facilitate access to their own conducting practice at home, organized by the student. This is resolved either by the student collaborating with local ensembles or by organizing small practice ensembles (a minimum of 3-4 musicians are required). The number of such sessions is to be set by agreement between teacher and student. Many students are already conductors of one or more ensembles, in which case using them as a home practice ensemble is a good solution.

The website www.conductit.eu contains a wide array of study materials on conducting. In this course, the students will study selected chapters of the material and will be required to submit associated assignments.

The course of study may include work in the following subjects:

• Conducting/instruction
• Practice (on-campus and with the students’ own group/ensembles at home)
• Knowledge of ensembles
• Knowledge of instruments
• Aural training
• Music theory
• Score study
• Knowledge of history and music history
• Knowledge of repertoire
• Knowledge of the music business and career opportunities
• Leadership and management

Students who complete and pass ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 1 may apply for the course ConductIT - Orchestral conducting, level 2.

After completing and passing the examination for the course, candidates will have acquired the knowledge, skills and general proficiency that will enable them to:

General proficiency

• display a fundamental understanding of the conductor’s role and function in rehearsal and concert situations and as a director and organizer
• display a fundamental understanding of assessing quality in ensemble performance
• set goals for their own learning and development as a conductor
• set goals for ensemble development

Knowledge

• fundamental knowledge of key repertoire
• fundamental knowledge of score reading and analysis
• fundamental knowledge of the orchestra and its instruments

Skills

• demonstrate fundamental conducting skills
• demonstrate fundamental skills in the study and understanding of scores

General qualification requirements for admission to the ConductIT study program:

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification ("Generell studiekompetanse")
• English language proficiency

In order to register for the exam, the student must have been present at the on-campus sessions, lessons, and must have completed the written assignments.

In situations where the student is unable to participate in compulsory activities or has challenges with self-study, alternative work requirements can be agreed directly with the course coordinator to the extent that this is practically possible and deemed academically justifiable.

Language of instruction

English and Norwegian (Norwegian language knowledge is not a prerequisite for the students)

Forms of work

The course consists of the following forms of work

• Participation at Dirigentuka and on-campus weekend sessions.
• Individual on-line lessons based on video recordings of students own conducting practice (recordings from Dirigentuka, weekend sessions, students home assignments and/or any other relevant practice).
• Self-study of content at www.conductit.eu
• Conducting practice "at home" with the students’ own ensemble(s)
• Participation in discussions and submission of assignments

Course assessment

Procedures for student assessment within the course have been drawn up by the faculty and adapted for this type of performance course. The course assessment is in accordance with the University of Stavanger’s quality system.