Conductor Recommendations

[Linn]

mornin'...as handbells are still in its infancy and we do not have conductors offering masters classes to conductors-in-training (those of us who have not put in our thirty years yet) ...the type of classes that challenge and motivate our knowledge of musical literature and elevate our musical values, taste and standards...(tucson is off the table - as that is the only one to date i know of) which would count as it is not geared to the absolute beginner ringer...(course michele had an organist who did not understand why handbells did not operate like an organ - hopefully that does not happen again...smile)...

...in my reading on conducting i find that we do not have the access to the thoughts and learning process of our conductors as we do to our composers...yes nancy kirkner would be an exception in the sharing department - while i do not recall from her blog, reading about the conducting side of her life...she does stress that we need to make provisions in our lives for continuous professional and personal development and growth...so to that end i thought i would ask conductors on the -L for their thoughts and recommendations...you may respond to my e-mail directly...i will share with the -L if i receive any responses...

...1...what scores would you recommend that we do score studies on, even if we never perform them...something to do when we have a break from regular handbell responsibilities...smile...
...2...kodaly says that musicians should be taught with the most musically valuable materials...with that in mind...what would you consider the most musical scores, at each level, we need to know and perform with groups regardless of secular or non secular settings...this can also include scores/pieces that are original compositions and/or have never made it on to cassettes and/or cds offered from publishers...

...3...it is important to know wind band/ensemble, voice and opera, orchestra, chamber ensembles and conductors thoughts to deepen a conductor's musical knowledge...who would you recommend be read or listened to that would cover musical style, techniques, imagination and creativity - books, disks or journals/magazines...

...i agree that a true conductor remains a student for life...so am looking for recommendations for my bucket list...p.s....malcom, carl and other conductors on the other side of the world please chime in...ringing in peace, linn
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[Malcolm Wilson]

Linn in Alaska invited my comment in her message about conducting handbell ensembles. She is absolutely correct in saying that there is never a point to stop learning. For me that has come from observing and learning from many conductors in the handbell world. Those who had particular influence for me were William Griffin, Bill Payn and the late, great David Davidson (and that is certainly not an exhaustive list of those from whom I have learned). Each for me command respect in the podium but also generous in sharing their knowledge and experience - effective educators whether conducting or sharing about conducting.

Everyone in the handbell world who has come to be conductor also comes with different backgrounds,experience and expertises (whether musical or other). Some choose the role and some land in the position by accident of timing or not being quick enough to say "no" ;-)

Being an effective conductor with the group in front of which you find yourself placed, regardless of whether that group comprises complete beginners or advanced musicians, requires the conductor to be the one who will guide the best musical sound possible out of that group choosing music appropriate for the group, providing the balance of encouragement, leadership, education, challenge and musicianship to make the experience satisfying for handbell musicians and audience alike. I sometimes joke with groups that I see the conductor as benevolent dictator (with less emphasis on benevolence!!) - of course the reality is that each conductor combines a number of different roles and the balance of these roles varies depending on their own personality, experience and expertise, as well as the type of group, their experience, expertises (and personalities!!) and the role and purpose of the group.

Learning from other conductors is possible through observation at events, through YouTube performances, and through classes.

A class I'll be offering at the Ring in Praise Seminar (www.ringinpraise.org.uk) on 8 June (the class is called "Baton Beating Basics and Beyond") is for those who have probably already found themselves as conductors of a handbell ensemble but perhaps fell into the role and maybe didn't have previous conducting training.

Malcolm Wilson
www.claganach.net