Many college/university band conductors start out as music education undergraduates. Since there are many conducting programs for graduate students and since this is such a competitive field, we encourage you to look at graduate training in conducting to prepare to be a better fit for working in this field. You can use the “Find Schools That Fit Your Interest” feature on �ƹ�app to learn about schools we work with that offer conducting. Check out their audition/submission requirements for grad programs in conducting. You can also visit the College Band Directors National Association website to learn much more about this field.

Great to hear that you take advantage of attending these concerts – they’re a great free or low-cost way to experience quality music and the musicians who will keep the music flowing. Thank you for sharing!

There are several career directions you can go in as a conductor, and the necessary training and experience needed relates to the area of conducting you’re interested in pursuing. In general, to our knowledge, there is no single path to a career in conducting. You’ll see conductors with teaching degree backgrounds (helpful for understanding instruments other than one’s own plus pedagogical training) in addition to advanced performance degrees where they gain more technical proficiency plus more experience performing collaboratively in ensembles and orchestras. An advanced degree in conducting offers opportunities for mentoring from an experienced conductor with pedagogical training, language skills and (hopefully) communication and group dynamic skills training. And opportunities along the way to put all of this training into practice are essential.

Thanks for your feedback and so glad to hear what you say!