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Beyond the Baton: What Every Conductor Needs to Know
Seasoned conductor Diane Wittry draws a comprehensive roadmap to a successful career in Beyond the Baton . With first-hand understanding of how the role of the conductor has changed across the years, she expertly examines the new set of duties--both on and off of the podium--that now fall upon the shoulders of the music director.
From getting a job to fundraising and educational outreach, Wittry's comprehensive tips and strategies guide students and professional conductors alike through the leadership and organizational skills necessary for success. Numerous real-life examples illustrate vital skills for artistic leadership such as programming subscription, pops, and educational concerts; understanding the budget and the music director's role in funding the artistic vision; and presenting speeches, and radio and televised interviews. In informative conversations with the author, successful conductors Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, and JoAnn Falletta offer tips from personal experience on how music directors can work successfully with orchestras, and what their roles are with the board and the community.
From getting a job to fundraising and educational outreach, Wittry's comprehensive tips and strategies guide students and professional conductors alike through the leadership and organizational skills necessary for success. Numerous real-life examples illustrate vital skills for artistic leadership such as programming subscription, pops, and educational concerts; understanding the budget and the music director's role in funding the artistic vision; and presenting speeches, and radio and televised interviews. In informative conversations with the author, successful conductors Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, and JoAnn Falletta offer tips from personal experience on how music directors can work successfully with orchestras, and what their roles are with the board and the community.
- GenresMusic
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 10, 2019
Diane Wittry is a fantastic advocate for the role of the conductor as artistic leader, visionary, fundraiser, and educational director. It is no secret that the role of conductors of symphony orchestras has drastically changed from the days of the all-powerful, "maestros," whose unquestioned authority required none of the skills detailed here. In this tome of down to earth and practical suggestions, Wittry outlines precisely HOW this role has changed and how to navigate its less obvious components. Though I should admit I have an artistic/business connection in writing this review as my chamber ensemble The Donald Sinta Quartet was featured on her series Chamber On Stage at Miller Symphony Hall, home of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Take that for what you will.
Not only relying on her own extensive experience, Wittry also features interviews with noted conductors Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, and JoAnn Falletta. Their unique paths to success and continued high-level artistic production are wonderful vignettes that exemplify many of the foundational skills Wittry talks about in the opening chapters.
From there she moves to what may be the most helpful chapter for young aspiring conductors, "Your First Job," which takes you through the act of getting the interview and the job, common contract issues, do's and don'ts, and how to form your organization in your own way. Though this is very conductor specific, the principles outlined are very important and the sort of thing that frequently aren't a part of the advanced graduate training that conductors and instrumental musicians receive. Chapter 4 moves on to a more universal arts community focus, though of course still operating from the perspective of the conductor, in detailing Wittry's vision for what, "Artistic Leadership," really means. Considerations and details of programming for different types and sizes of orchestra are discussed next with a wealth of resources and charts to help you successfully plot out your repertoire choices with purpose and clarity.
The last two chapters before the conclusion were the most insightful and practically useful for me, those being, "The People Factor," and, "Funding the Artistic Vision." In these two tour-de-force chapters the role of the conductor and arts leader as a member of a delicate yet high-functioning team and the role of the conductor as the fundraiser in chief, or at least the face of the organizations fundraising efforts, are considered in great detail. The experience with which Wittry supports these notions is one based on her great success on the national stage working with orchestras of varying size.
I imagine there is so much specificity here that many non-conductors won't be interested but I must say that even for a chamber musician and saxophone pedagogue this was very interesting reading and one of great honesty, vision, and readable clarity.
Not only relying on her own extensive experience, Wittry also features interviews with noted conductors Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, and JoAnn Falletta. Their unique paths to success and continued high-level artistic production are wonderful vignettes that exemplify many of the foundational skills Wittry talks about in the opening chapters.
From there she moves to what may be the most helpful chapter for young aspiring conductors, "Your First Job," which takes you through the act of getting the interview and the job, common contract issues, do's and don'ts, and how to form your organization in your own way. Though this is very conductor specific, the principles outlined are very important and the sort of thing that frequently aren't a part of the advanced graduate training that conductors and instrumental musicians receive. Chapter 4 moves on to a more universal arts community focus, though of course still operating from the perspective of the conductor, in detailing Wittry's vision for what, "Artistic Leadership," really means. Considerations and details of programming for different types and sizes of orchestra are discussed next with a wealth of resources and charts to help you successfully plot out your repertoire choices with purpose and clarity.
The last two chapters before the conclusion were the most insightful and practically useful for me, those being, "The People Factor," and, "Funding the Artistic Vision." In these two tour-de-force chapters the role of the conductor and arts leader as a member of a delicate yet high-functioning team and the role of the conductor as the fundraiser in chief, or at least the face of the organizations fundraising efforts, are considered in great detail. The experience with which Wittry supports these notions is one based on her great success on the national stage working with orchestras of varying size.
I imagine there is so much specificity here that many non-conductors won't be interested but I must say that even for a chamber musician and saxophone pedagogue this was very interesting reading and one of great honesty, vision, and readable clarity.
May 15, 2017
A thorough, exceptionally well-researched book on orchestral leadership, covering everything from programming, contracts, artistic vision, public relations, resolving conflict, what to say and not to say during rehearsal, how to look great during a TV interview, and much more. The book includes a vast appendix of resources for score rentals, networking, thematic programming and more. A gold mine of information for the successful conductor.
September 1, 2015
Extremely valuable book for conductors beginning in the field. Some ideas are dated by the advancement of technology in recent years, but despite this, the entire book is relevant.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews