Westminster Conducting Institute
Westminster conducting institute
Sun Jun 29–Sat Jul 5
James Jordan, Institute Director; Marilyn Shenenberger, Institute Coordinator and Principal Accompanist; Charles Bruffy, Bruce Chamberlain, Sabine Horstmann, Weston Noble
Major Work Focus for 2008: Brahms: Schicksalslied
This is the seventh summer for the popularWestminster Conducting Institute. This institute provides a unique opportunity for
participants to experience and learn from five leading choral conductors and major teachersof choral pedagogy. It is a special opportunity to experience the work of some of America and Europe’s master teachers in one seminar at one location. The Institute is open to all levels of conductors; techniques taught in the institute are applicable to all ages and performance level choirs. This year’s intensive seminar, in addition to classes and master classes in conducting, will focus on the music of Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi through evening lectures and masterclasses on his music. Participants will also work on connections between the conductor and actor as taught by Westminster and New School faculty member Nova Thomas. Lectures will also share with participants the new DVD, The Anatomy of Conducting by James Jordan and Eugene Corporon. Once again,the seminar participants will have daily sessions in Vocal Technique for Choirs taught by Sabine Horstmann with exercises from the English version of her book, Group Vocal Technique. Marilyn Shenenberger will teach classes in Intonation and Harmonic Immersion Aural Training classes and provide daily instruction in Laban and Dalcroze Eurhythmics for the conductor and the choir. Bruce Chamberlain will provide his perspective on the use of analysis and its application to choral performance and musical style focusing upon the Schicksalied of Johannes Brahms. In addition to participation in the above, each participant will be assigned (based upon experience) to a daily conducting class with the faculty. Students will be asked to conduct a portion of work on the first evening of the institute. Instructions concerning the conducting hearing will be sent after students have registered. Students will also conduct in master class situations where they are critiqued by choral faculty, other than their class teacher.
Please note: This course includes evening hours! A complete schedule will be sent toparticipants.
