Conducting and Crafting

Everything I needed to know about conducting applications I learned in 3rd grade art class. Sort of.

This week I spent time on Tuesday putting together some applications for summer conducting workshops and festivals. Much of the time spent was watching footage of my conducting experiences over the past several months and trying to find the best 3-4 minute clips to include in my video. Another portion of the time was spent packaging the video to make it look pleasing, informative, and professional. My tools for this were computer paper, a printer, and scissors. I felt like I was creating an art project, especially when I was trimming the paper to fit the DVD case and align the margins. I just needed a gluestick and some glitter to make it even more eye-catching - I'll have to add this next time.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this entire process is the fact that, among festivals, there is very little uniformity of materials. This is most likely due to the fact that each festival has a slightly different focus and conductors are utilized and given experiences in a different manner at each one. Every application called for roughly fifteen to twentyish minutes of conducting footage but there was also an interview segment for one and fifteen minutes of clarinet performance for another. This was particularly challenging, especially since the last time I prepared any type of "recital" was 1999-2000. Luckily I was able to put my chops back in order enough to work up a Brahms Sonata and a movement of the Mozart Concerto in time for the application deadline.

What I have learned from all of this, is that I need to be super prepared for the application side of this career that I have chosen. Now that I'm finishing up my master's degree it's time to start thinking about the next step. Not just the doctorate, but beyond. The next, next step is marketing and knowing the ins and outs of the application process. Workshops and festivals are a great way to work on many aspects of conducting if I get accepted, but the application process itself is a great way to practice the art (and crafts) of applying for jobs too.

My makeshift "TV Studio" for recording the interview portion of a conducting application. Note the cat in the lower right corner. There were several discarded takes due to feline interference. I even resorted to shutting one of the cats in the bathroom so she would stop walking in frame.