ABSTRACT
In order to identify some of the characteristics of effective choral conducting, let’s look at the nature and intricacy of conducting and the contexts within which such activity occurs. We will look behind the phenomenon at the kinds of conducting skill and knowledge that will help us better define what makes for good choral conducting. We will explore the phenomenon itself, and, in terms of teaching and learning in the choral rehearsal, the associated types of craft and knowledge that support human-compatible learning and communication.The term “human compatible” already suggests a style of communication, one of careful and thoughtful interaction that enables people to feel positive about a musical learning experience. Through such exploration we will consider many of the attributes, skills, and strategies desirable for effective choral conducting, and, consequently, a clearer conception of what in conducting is teachable (and learnable) might emerge. We are hoping to define “human-compatible conducting,” if you like. We may well then become more informed and able to design conducting courses and workshops as well as learn more about our own conducting.
