Conducting Seminar for Music Educators: Professional Learning through the County Honors Concerts

High School Ensembles: January 7th, 8th, & 9th
Middle School Ensembles: February 9th, 16th, 25th; March 4th, & 6th
Conducting Symposium: April 3rd, 9AM - 12PM

The Conducting Seminar is a collegiate-level professional learning experience offered in conjunction with the San Joaquin County Middle School and High School Honors Concerts. Participants engage in focused observation of distinguished guest conductors as they lead honor ensembles through the rehearsal and performance process.

Each seminar centers on an annually selected aspect of conducting and ensemble leadership. Before each observation, participants receive information about the guest conductor’s goals and intended focus for the rehearsal. Participants then document and analyze the conductor’s rehearsal techniques, gesture, communication, score preparation, instructional decision-making, and approach to ensemble development.

Following each observation, participants complete a structured written assignment connecting the practices they observed to conducting pedagogy and their own professional work. The seminar concludes with a spring meeting in which participants synthesize their learning, reflect on their growth, and identify practices they intend to apply in their own ensembles.

Participants seeking credit for both the Middle School and High School Honors Concerts must complete the full 15-hour requirement and all associated assignments separately for each ensemble.