Master of Music in Conducting

Department

Program Overview

Boston Conservatory at Berklee's conducting program is rooted in the belief that today's conductor must be well versed in a vast range of instrumental repertoire for any type of ensemble. Under the guidance of esteemed faculty, students have the opportunity to observe and participate in the many ensemble experiences at the Conservatory, collaborating with talented musicians who are passionate about creating top-quality performances for Boston audiences.

The Conservatory's location in the heart of Boston is an ideal setting for aspiring conductors in any musical genre. Not only is the Conservatory within walking distance of world-renowned organizations, such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Handel and Haydn Society, and Boston Lyric Opera, but the school boasts an ever-growing network of community and professional ensembles that have a history of hiring Boston Conservatory-trained conductors and directors.

Our Students

Students in the conducting program are drawn to a career steadfast in leadership and collaboration. They are creative thinkers, inspired by the score and determined to explore its many possibilities for artistic expression. Those who are most successful in the program are proficient instrumentalists or vocalists who understand the value of every musician, and prioritize continued studies as a performer in support of their development as a conductor. Perhaps most importantly, conductors are thought leaders, so students in the program must dedicate themselves to a holistic program of intellectual and artistic growth.

Curriculum Overview

The Conservatory’s program balances significant podium time with a program of study designed to grow an artist well-positioned for a career in arts leadership today. Students work with a dedicated conductor’s ensemble in weekly rehearsals throughout their program. Second-year conducting students serve as assistant conductors to their associated conducting faculty, becoming more active in the rehearsal process, and earn the opportunity to lead a performance of a Conservatory ensemble.

In the first year of the program, students focus on the fundamentals of conducting technique, score and artistic preparation, and career development. In the second year, students will be offered a choice to specialize their studies in one of four tracks:

Orchestral Conducting
Contemporary Music Conducting
Wind Band Conducting
Opera and Theater Conducting

During this second year, students will transfer their applied lessons to the instructor whose work is most closely associated with their desired area of study, along with their observation and apprenticeship experiences, repertoire studies, electives, and practical experiences.

As part of the program, conducting students receive private lessons on their primary instrument and take courses in advanced music theory and analysis and music history and literature, and choose from a wide range of elective offerings.

Program Requirements

The Master of Music in Conducting program requires students to complete 32 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for additional details.

Proficiency Requirements

Upon matriculation to the Master of Music degree programs, candidates take proficiency examinations in music theory and music history. These exams are designed to identify minimum competencies in both areas reflecting a typical undergraduate preparation in music. Any deficiencies revealed by these exams must be corrected within the first year in residence through successful completion of prescribed review courses in ear training, harmony, or music history.

Major Requirements

M-AP 0909 Conductor's Lab (taken four times; 0 credits total)
M-AP 0091 Applied Concentrate lessons (2 credits total; 1 credit each)
M-AP 5909 Applied lessons in conducting (8 credits total; 2 credits each)
M-EX 6001 Oral Comprehensive Exam (0 credits)
M-PR 5901 Movement, Theatrics, and Oration for Conductors (1 credit)
M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credits)
M-SK 5001 Graduate Diction Intensive (1 credit)
M-ST 0909 Performance Seminar: Conducting (4 credits total; 1 credit each)

Track Requirements

Choose one of the following track-based courses, and take it every semester in residence:

M-PR 5910 Conducting Practicum: Contemporary (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
M-PR 5911 Conducting Practicum: Opera and Theater (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
M-PR 5912 Conducting Practicum: Orchestral (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
M-PR 5913 Conducting Practicum: Wind Band (4 credits total; 1 credit each)

Academics and Electives

M-LT 5103 Writing About Music (1 credit)
M-LT 5104 Communicating About Music (1 credit)
M-LT 711xx Theory & Musicology and/or M-SK 719xx Applied Theory Electives (4 credits total; 2 credits each)
M-LT 712xx Graduate Seminar in Theory & Analysis (3 credits)
M-LT 713xx Music History (3 credits)

Your Future

Alumni of Boston Conservatory's conducting program have earned positions with esteemed ensembles, choruses, and schools nationally and internationally, including:

Ensembles

Arizona Pro Arte
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Berklee College of Music Video Game Orchestra
Boston Chamber Orchestra
Bozeman Symphony
Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra
Costa Rica Youth Symphony
Costa Rican National Symphony
Des Moines Metro Opera
Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Itzhak Perlman Klezmer Tour
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Newburgh Symphony Orchestra
Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie
Orchestra 914
Park East Synagogue
Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra
Santa Fe Opera
Sun Symphony orchestra
Orlando Opera
Utah Symphony Orchestra
Washington National Opera

Faculty Appointments

Dartmouth College
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Lake Forest Symphony
Williams College

How to apply