Registration Info
July 13 - 19, 2025
Sunday: 6 - 9 p.m.
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 - 8:30 p.m. (selected evenings)
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Instructors: Donald Nally and Beth Willer
Guest Lecturer: Steven Spinelli
Breath, gesture, and listening are the fundamental building blocks of the advanced conductor. This course will focus on their coordination as a means of connecting to ensemble musicians and audiences. Conducting music appropriate to a wide range of choirs, students will have daily podium time in a masterclass environment, further develop their ears, methods of analysis and score preparation, leadership and guidance effectiveness, and point of view. Additionally, lecture/discussions will cover new repertoire, repertoire from underserved composing populations, and philosophies of ensemble leadership. This course will culminate in a concert open to the public.
This year's intensive will include 90-minute evening sessions on various topics, including works of the early and middle Baroque, as well as the music of Florence Price and Margaret Bonds. Both sessions will include reading works appropriate to university and advanced high school and church choirs.
Repertoire to be drawn from (subject to change):
Herbert Howells: O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Sarah Rimkus: Mine Liking
Robert Convery: Young Jesus Sweit
Morten Lauridsen: Sure on this shining night
Judith Weir: Vertue and I love all beauteous things
Eric Whitacre: This Marriage
David Lang: all who are hungry (from poor hymnal)
Jonathan Sheffer: Yedid Nefesh
Jonathan Dove: In beauty may I walk
Gerald Finzi: Welcome, sweet and sacred feast
Edie Hill: We bloomed in Spring
John Tavener: Funeral Ikos