Dear Alma, They think I should be a conductor
OrchestrasDear Alma,
I am violinist finishing up my undergraduate degree in music performance. I have applied for several graduate schools for violin performance, and on a whim, also conducting (I took an undergraduate conducting class and submitted my final project video). I was surprised to be admitted to higher level schools for conducting, with more scholarship, even though I have very little experience.
Should I switch tracks?
Dear Should I Switch Tracks,
What an exciting time for you! Big decisions for your future. The schools clearly see something special in your conducting, and perhaps the recommendations you included from teachers also supported your new talent.
Your decision should be based on several things. Do you love to conduct? Can you imagine yourself in this career, which encompasses not only the art of conducting, but also a business mind, social skills, quick learning, and an ability to work well with many different kinds of people? Can you live without violin? Do you need the scholarship that the conducting degree offers?
I like the idea of attending a more reputable school. If you can’t live without violin, can you still take lessons and get a minor in violin at the conducting schools? You may be too busy to pursue both, but it’s worth asking.
Should I Switch Tracks, you are at a crossroads. Talk to your professors, speak with your school conductor. Research the teachers at the new schools and reach out to them with questions about the degrees and what a career in conducting would look like. This is not a light decision, but it is thrilling that you have this new option in front of you. Do your research, crunch the financials, and good luck on the next phase of your life!
Questions for Alma? Please put them in the comments section or send to DearAlmaQuery@gmail.com
Could be the Canellakis track….
Possibly! It’s finally a bonus to be a female conductor. That certainly took long enough.
Only consider conducting if you’re a) a relentless, single-minded careerist or b) if you can’t imagine living without standing in front of an orchestra.
If you’re undecided, don’t do it. It’s a snake pit involving appalling levels of politics; rapacious, shark-like agents and regular unnecessarily confrontational working conditions. Actually making music will, if you’re lucky, occupy about ten per cent of your time.
This captures a lot of the truth.
It is what led me to shy away from attempting conducting as a career in music despite how fascinating a role it is intellectually and musically/emotionally.
The snake pit, political, and luck factors are too strong.
But isn’t that true at elite levels in virtually all professions?
I can’t imagine anything bring better than actually playing music. But then there is playing music as a soloist or in an Orchestra!
It’s worth a shot though – it’s an interesting idea to switch tracks and they can always go back to violin.
Quite Anthony- well put. Its a wretched career- you’d have to be either an opportunist or nutcase to even contemplate doing it.
Go for it. They obviously see something in you. That’s exciting. You have a degree in violin. Those skills are not going to desert you. Whatever your career path turns out to be, your musicianship and music making will be enriched by diversifying your training.