After graduating from Choir Conducting you are equipped to put together, rehearse and perform whole programs with (amateur) choirs of various standards. You need to be able to sing well, but naturally you also need an exceptionally good ear. And you must also have an outstanding theoretical and practical knowledge of harmony. As a choir conductor you will have an extensive knowledge of choir music ranging from church music to opera.
Students sometimes choose choir conducting as a second major study along side a main instrumental study within the Classical Music department, or the Music Teaching degree. There is also the possibility to complete this study at the same time as working.
Inspirational work environment
Next to your regular subjects as a choir conducting student, you also have lessons in singing and playing the score at the piano, and take part in workshops and master classes from renowned national and international guest teachers. Inspirational experiences from which you will learn a lot and no doubt will look back on when you yourself stand in front of a choir.
Extremely varied study program
You begin your conservatorium training by acquiring a thorough theoretical and practical base. For a choir conductor that means the developing of your musical imaginative capacity in subjects such as practical harmony, general music theory and polyphonic aural training. Further, you will learn composition techniques, and acquire a basic level in Italian. In short, choir conducting is an extremely varied study program that will reach you through many different ways; in lectures, practical classes, individual lessons, and in projects where you work alone or with a group.
Standing in front of a choir
However important the theoretical basis is, it is vital that you gain as much practical experience as possible. Therefore you will take part in work experience projects from your second year onwards until graduation. The difficulty level of these projects will increase slowly. This work experience could be with one of the many amateur choirs in the area. Many students also earn money with choir conducting during their study. Like we said, there are many choirs that want to work with you.