Skip to main content.
Bard Conservatory of Music
Bard BCOM
  • Academics sub-menuMenu
    • Programs
      • Undergraduate Double Degree
      • Graduate Vocal Arts
      • Graduate Conducting
      • Graduate Instrumental Arts
      • Collaborative Piano Fellowship
      • Advanced Performance Studies
      • MA in Chinese Music and Culture
      • US-China Music Institute
      • Preparatory Division
      • Virtual Summer Institute
    • About
      • Our Story
      • Facilities
      • Staff
      • Faculty
      • Contact Us
      • Accreditation
      • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      • Bard Philharmonic
    • News+Media
      • Newsroom
      • Events
      • Live Video
      • Archive
    • Accepted Students
      • Undergraduate Students
      • Graduate Students
  • Search
  • Bard Conservatory
  • Apply
  • Inquire
  • Events
  • Support
Main Image for Graduate Conducting Program

Graduate Conducting Program

Graduate Choral Conducting
  • About sub-menuAbout
    • Curriculum
    • Performing
  • Applying sub-menuApplying
    • Audition Requirements
  • Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Faculty
  • FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions

How much conducting time do students receive each week?

Choral Conducting
Choral conducting students work regularly with three types of choruses; community, collegiate, and professional.  They work with the Bard Symphonic Chorus and the Bard Chamber Singers on Bard’s campus and they travel to New York City to work with the professional Bard Conductors Chorale. Additionally, students have opportunities to conduct on chorus concerts and assist with the Graduate Vocal Arts program mainstage opera.  Opportunities to conduct instrumentalists are also available to choral conducting students.

Orchestral Conducting
Orchestral conducting students have bi-weekly sessions with the Orchestral Conductors Ensemble, a small ensemble of members of The Orchestra Now and the Bard Conservatory Orchestra. Preparation for these sessions is done through regular class work with piano. Students also work once each semester with full orchestra in special reading sessions with the Bard Conservatory Orchestra.

Are there other opportunities to conduct in the greater Bard community?

In the past, conducting students have participated in the following additional opportunities:

  • Serving as assistant conductor for the Bard College Orchestra
  • Performing undergraduate composition projects and opera scenes
  • Assisting with the graduate operas
  • Performing the Graduate Vocal Arts Program’s Winter SongFest
  • Volunteering for homeschooled ensembles
  • Creating and directing extracurricular ensembles

Will I have the additional opportunity to perform with my primary instrument?

Yes, there are many opportunities to continue performing. Some past examples include:

  • Performing in the required composition class
  • Participating in the Bard College Orchestra
  • Performing in other students’ recitals
  • Forming extracurricular chamber ensembles

What are past Graduate Conducting students doing now?

The unique and hands-on opportunities available to the Bard Conservatory Graduate Conducting Program have lead our students to exciting and varied careers.  Distinctions of our graduates include:
Ensembles and Institutions: BBC Symphony; Brooks School, director of choral and classical music; Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Orchestra, assistant conductor; Collegiate Chorale, assistant conductor; Hilliard Ensemble; Luzerne Music Center; New York Youth Symphony; Opera Philadelphia; Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, assistant artistic director
Festivals: Bang on a Can Marathon; Night at Proms 2015; Opera Company of the Highlands 2011
Venues: Carnegie Hall; Le poisson rouge; Lincoln Center; Merkin Concert Hall
 

Is it possible for conducting students to take regular Bard College classes?

Due to the very full curriculum of the Graduate Conducting Program, it is generally not possible for students to take additional college courses.

Bard Conservatory
Bard College
Conservatory of Music
30 Campus Road
Annandale-on-Hudson
New York 12504-5000
845-758-7196
[email protected]
More Music at Bard
Bard Music Program
The Orchestra Now
Musical Mentorship Initiative
Contact us
Visit the Conservatory
Join our Mailing List
Support Us
Accreditation 
Undergraduate Inquiry Form
Graduate Inquiry Form
Join the Conversation
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

All photos by Karl Rabe unless stated otherwise.