The Conductor's Podcast

Do you also use recordings to help your score study process? Today I am going to share a few things that I do with recordings!

1. See the many interpretational possibilities regarding tempi, balance, or conducting patterns.

2. Check what I might have missed in your score study (dynamics, chord change, important lines, or bringing out a different layer)

3. Memory check when memorizing the score

4. Know what might need rehearsals

5. Help visualize the score

6. The choreography of conducting gestures,

7. Bowings consultance

All About Chaowen Ting

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 20, 2024. The session was moderated by my colleague Dr. Janet Kim, and our panelists were:

Shelley Axelson, Director of Bands, Radford University

Julia Baumanis, Associate Director of Bands, Rutgers University

Tina Dimeglio, Associate Director of Bands, University of South Florida

If you missed my interview with Julia Baumanis in Season 1 Episode 31 where we spoke about her journey as a band director, check out: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/31/

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Catching up with returning guest Kevin Fitzgerald :)

Make sure you check out or revisit my interview with Kevin in Season 2 when we talked about audition preparation and navigating the business:

https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/s2e7/
AND
https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/s2e8/

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Five key preparation factors for competitions (and as a good conductor in general!)

1. Know the score inside out

2. Have (form and be very firm) your own opinion about the music

3. Have enough techniques to deliver your ideas

4. Keep a high energy and engage musicians at all times

5. Develop problem solving skills - rehearsal techniques, interruptions from the jury, being asked to do a piece you are less good at

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Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 6, 2024. The session was moderated by my colleague Dr. Janet Kim, and our panelists were:

Arianne Abela, Director of the Choral Program, Amherst College

Maria A. Ellis, the Girl Conductor

Amanda Hanzlik, Director of Choirs, E.O. Smith High School; President - Elect, ACDA Eastern Region

Liana Salinas, Artistic Director, Miami Children's Chorus

If you missed my interview with Maria A. Ellis in Season 1 Episode 2 where I interviewed someone for the very first time - she is so inspiring!! Check it out: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/2/

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Very happy to welcome Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, the winner of the 2022 La Maestra Competition in Paris, where I was a quarter-finalist. Anna and I talked about her experience after the competition, her growth and challenges, and what she has learned in her journey. 

This interview was recorded in May 2024 when Anna was expecting her daughter and we wish her and her family a wonderful start of this new chapter.

Learn more about Anna: https://annasulkowskamigon.com/

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Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 3, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were:

Juhi Bensal, composer, conductor, and educator

Joanna Drimatis, Music Director and Chief Conductor, Beecroft Orchestra

Katie LaBrie, composer, conductor, and educator

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Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on April 28, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were:

Marta Gardolinska, Music Director, Opera national de Lorraine

Stephanie Rhodes Russell, Founder, Women’s Artistic Leadership Initiative; Guest Conductor, Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Washington National Opera

Michelle Rofrano, Artistic Director, PROTESTRA; Guest Conductor, Madison Opera, City Lyric Opera, Curtis Institute of Music

If you missed my interview with Michelle Rofrano in Season 1 Episode 3 where we discussed programming for social causes, make sure to revisit it: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/3/

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I've always thought that I wasn't a good competition type of conductor, until I realized that I actually convinced myself that I wasn't good in a certain area so I didn't need to continue improving myself.

From 2022, I entered La Maestra Competition in Paris, won the 3rd Prize at Kussewitzky Competition 2023 and 2nd Prize at the Mendelssohn Competition 2024. In this season's episodes, I will be sharing more what I've learned in my journey.

But before that, my thoughts on conducting competitions - they are just one of the many events that are going to shape and form your conducting journey.
1. Be super clear why you are doing it, and list your learning objectvies
2. Focus on things we can control
3. Know what you need to be successful

PS. My interview with Lina Gonzalez Granados on organizing your score, time, and journey in Season 1 Episode 38:
https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/organize-your-score-time-and-journey-with-lina-gonzalez-granados/

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I finally had the pleasure to meet and speak with Dr. Andrea Brown, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland. Previously served as director of orchestra and assistant director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and assistant director of bands at the University of Michigan, we spoke about her experience as a conductor and the founder of “Women Rising to the Podium.”

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