Offering tracks in choral and orchestral conducting, the Graduate Conducting Program of the Bard College Conservatory of Music is a two-year curriculum that culminates in the master of music (MM) degree. Led by conductor James Bagwell, the program equips its graduates with the broad-based skills and experience necessary to meet the special opportunities and challenges of a conducting or conducting-related career in the 21st century.
James Bagwell
Director
In addition to directing the Graduate Conducting Program, Maestro Bagwell is the director of Bard’s undergraduate Music Program and associate conductor of The Orchestra Now. In 2026 he was named principal conductor of the Tulsa Symphony and principal conductor of the Berkshire Bach Orchestra and Chorus. Additionally, he regularly prepares the Concert Chorale of New York for performances with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Mostly Mozart Festival.
Program Highlights
The Graduate Conducting Program balances a respect for established traditions with the flexibility and curiosity needed to keep abreast of evolving musical ideas. In addition to instruction in conducting, the curriculum includes an innovative, four-semester music history sequence (shared by the two tracks), voice lessons and diction for choral conductors, instrument lessons for orchestral conductors, and foreign language study, ear training, and composition for all students.
Why I Chose Bard
Emmanuel Rojas, orchestral conducting
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
One of the main reasons I chose to attend is the well-rounded curriculum the program offers, which is needed for the modern day conductor. It is all thoughtfully curated by Professor James Bagwell. Another reason is the resources that the college offers to the Conservatory, such as our own Frank Gehry concert hall our orchestras can not only perform in but regularly rehearse in. It is literally a home away from home.