PT96: “The Art of Becoming a Conductor:” Miguel Harth-Bedoya on Fundamental Skills for Conductors, the Lost Art of Ear Training, and the Attitude Critical to Success

Podium Time

Today we discuss:

• Why it’s not unusual to start studying to be a conductor as an undergraduate, and the benefits of learning to conduct from the beginning instead of waiting until grad school (2:59)
• Fundamental skills for conductors, and a curriculum for Miguel’s students (9:01)
• How Miguel and the Conducting Institute have embraced technology to continue teaching valuable skills over distance during COVID-19 (18:13)
• Why it’s important that we emphasize the fundamentals, and how our respect for the music extends through our preparation and to the audience (23:22)
• The ABCs of score study and score reading, and why Fixed-do is superior to Moveable-do for conductors (28:13)
• The attitudes critical to learning to become a successful conductor, and the marathon of preparation that was studying with Otto-Werner Mueller and Kurt Masur (36:26)
• The lessons of life brought to Miguel through having children and giving a shallow performance of The Planets (47:59)
• Why music is important, an unexpected hidden gem, and the power of a smile (56:31)

Other Links:

• Miguel's Website
• University of Nebraska Omaha, School of Music
• The Conducting Institute
• Miguel's Conducting Program for High School Students

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