Music Banter - View Single Post - How do I become a conductor of an orchestra?

Burning Down · 10-11-2009, 04:28 PM

Hmmmm, well I'm pretty sure that you need a Bachelor of Music degree to conduct professional bands and orchestras here in Canada and the US. It's preferred that you are also a very competent pianist - grade 5 (if you're in Canada or the US) is NOT high enough. You need to have at least grade 8 or 9 piano. With your instrument levels (grade 8 for cello and 5 for piano), you can probably conduct a small community orchestra as a volunteer, meaning you won't get paid. Then again, each orchestra might have different expectations so it's important that you do some research on bands that you're interested in directing.

10-11-2009, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	Hmmmm, well I'm pretty sure that you need a Bachelor of Music degree to conduct professional bands and orchestras here in Canada and the US. It's preferred that you are also a very competent pianist - grade 5 (if you're in Canada or the US) is NOT high enough. You need to have at least grade 8 or 9 piano. With your instrument levels (grade 8 for cello and 5 for piano), you can probably conduct a small community orchestra as a volunteer, meaning you won't get paid. Then again, each orchestra might have different expectations so it's important that you do some research on bands that you're interested in directing.