Basics of Conducting (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

You learn to start and finish songs. You can give the initial notes from the tuning fork, you can practice challenging parts. You learn to conduct in one, two, three, and four. You learn to understand simple choir and orchestral scores. You can use nonverbal communication. You can work with singers and musicians of different ages and cultural backgrounds. You can conduct instrumental ensembles, orchestras, and choirs. You master recording rehearsals and concerts, as well as analyzing recordings. You can leverage your musical expertise in various tasks, performance situations, and ensembles.

Content

Course Content:
-Learning vocal production and familiarization with vocal techniques
-Fundamental skills in music conducting techniques, patterns 1, 2, 3, 4
-Score analysis and playing vocal parts from scores
-Basics of group management
-Speech communication
-Familiarization with SSAA and SATB repertoire, as well as orchestral repertoire
-Rehearsal techniques
-Transposition and instrument knowledge
-Verbal and nonverbal communication for music conductors.

Location and time

Mon 3.30 pm-5 pm.
Thu 12-14 rehearsing orchestra or
Thu 14-16 rehearsing choir.

Materials

To be agreed upon with teacher at the beginning of the course, free material from net and from the library, M. Koistinen: Äänitimpurin käsikirja, Elizabeth A. Green: The Modern Conductor.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars in small groups, playing in rehersal Orchestra or singing in rehearsal choir.

Employer connections

A possible visit to the city orchestra or to local amateur orchestras and choirs.
You attend two choir concerts and two orchestra concerts and write a report about them.

Exam schedules

May 2026.

International connections

There may be a possible international visitor.

Completion alternatives

Exam of rehearsing and conducting.

Student workload

Lectures, workshops 35-45 h, video feedback and co-student evaluation 10-20 h, playing in rehearsal orchestra 30-50 h, independent work 20-30 h, network 20-30 h, altogether 135 h.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1:
You can only partially start and finish songs.
Tempo and pulse issues persist continuously.
There is much room for improvement in your vocal production skills.
You are unable to effectively practice and lead a choir, and you consistently confuse conducting patterns 1, 2, 3, 4.
Your self-assessment skills are relatively weak, and your competencies are low.
You have poorly achieved the learning objectives. You seldom take responsibility for your learning and self-improvement during the course.

Satisfactory 2:
Tempo and pulse issues occur frequently.
There is much room for improvement in your vocal production skills.
You can practice and lead a choir or orchestra satisfactorily, but occasionally, you confuse conducting patterns 1, 2, 3, 4.
You fail to recognize your shortcomings.
You have achieved some of the learning objectives. You only occasionally take responsibility for your learning and self-improvement during the course.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3:
You can start and finish songs, although tempo and pulse issues may occur.
You can give initial notes relatively well, although there is room for improvement in accuracy.
You can practice and lead a choir and orchestra reasonably well.
You are at an average level in conducting patterns 1, 2, 3, 4.
You can identify shortcomings in your skills.
You have partially achieved the learning objectives.
You take responsibility for your learning and self-improvement variably during the course.

Very good 4:
You can start and finish songs reasonably well.
You can give initial notes, although there is still room for improvement in accuracy.
You excel in conducting patterns 1, 2, 3, 4.
You can assess your skills quite well.
You can practice and lead a choir and orchestra relatively well.
You achieve almost all of the learning objectives.
You take relatively good responsibility for your learning and self-improvement.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5:
You can start and finish songs exceptionally well.
You can give initial notes flawlessly.
You excel in conducting patterns 1, 2, 3, 4.
You can practice and lead a choir and orchestra exceptionally well.
You can assess your skills effectively, and you have achieved the required learning objectives.
You take exemplary responsibility for your learning and self-improvement.
You possess the independent artistic vision and the necessary technical and interpretive skills for forming your own artistic perspective and performing music.

Qualifications

The mastery of acquired knowledge and skills in music theory and ear training at the level of a music conservatory or equivalent.

Further information

Capacity of non-degree education:
EduJyväskylä additional placements for vocational music students from Gradia and upper secondary students from Schildt.
Assessment in May 2026.