
CONDUCTORS INSTITUTE 2020
ONLINE SESSIONS
July 12-25
For the past 41 years The Conductors Institute of South Carolina has been America’s premier summer conductor training program. Directed by Dr. Donald Portnoy, the program is designed for conductors with moderate to advanced conductor skills. Because of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, the Institute has had to postpone its June 2020 program. The world-renowned Institute has always been on the “must do” list for young aspiring and experienced conductors alike.
With this in mind, the Institute faculty has been able to create a 13-day program (July 12-25) which will offer the same excellent instruction as in the past - but, in a more creative and intimate way. The Institute will offer online Zoom sessions each morning and afternoon. Participants will conduct recordings of the assigned repertoire, and will receive no-nonsense tutorial from conductors and composers who have vast experience in the commercial, academic and professional worlds of music. The guest conductors and composers are keenly aware of what it takes to succeed in a tough competitive field, and are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Because of the nature of the program, only 12 conductors will be accepted into the program this summer. Each participant will receive 144 minutes of conducting time.
In addition to the 3 hours morning session starting at 10am, there is another 3 hour session in the afternoon. It will include a critique of each conductor’s morning performance. Also, in the afternoon, lectures by our 6 visiting faculty members will offer relevant topics such as: programming, score study and marking, rehearsal technique, role of Music Director/Conductor, etc. In all, the Institute will run at least 6 hours each day.
STRING ORCHESTRA SESSION
Tchaikovsky Serenade, Op. 48, C Major
Mozart Divertimento K. 136
Elgar Serenade, Op. 20
Gordon (Dick) Goodwin Level 4/ Area Red*
* Available at 51FortePiano@gmail.com
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SESSION
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, Op.90, A Major (Italian)
Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin
Copland Appalachian Spring (Full Orchestra Version)
Victoria Bond 4 Scenes from Mrs. President**
**Available at Presser.com
ORCHESTRA SESSION
C.M. Weber Der Freischütz Overture
Dvorak Symphony No.9, Op.95, E Minor, (New World Symphony)
Brahms Symphony No.1, Op.68, C Minor
Edward Hart 3 Latin Rivers***
***Available at harte@cofc.edu
Conductors must purchase their own scores for use for the Institute.
FEES: $975.00 for the 13-day Conductors Institute
"I know of nowhere else in the United States where students can receive daily on-the-spot training in front of a professional ensemble for two weeks.” –Kate Tamarkin, conductor
ABOUT THE EVENING LECTURES
Conductor Peter Jaffe delivers informative and engaging sessions in score study—crucial for exploring how aural inspirations translate to the written page and for developing comprehensive approaches toward scores. Playing many orchestral examples at the piano, Maestro Jaffe explores advanced rhythmic topics, harmonic progressions, notational conventions, and interpretive challenges in the orchestral repertoire.