Online conducting and ensemble leadership course modules

The course is aimed at music teachers, ensemble leaders and aspiring conductors working in inclusive music-making settings. Each of the modules has been designed to cover a specific element of inclusive ensemble leadership, introducing course users to Orchestras for All’s ground-breaking approach to ensemble music- making.

The modules, called Inclusive Rehearsals and Learning By Ear, invite the user to engage virtually with two real life rehearsals; the first with youth music conductor Justin Fung and young musicians from Sheffield Music Hub, the second with folk workshop leader and musician Emily Askew and members of the London Youth Folk Ensemble, supported by the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Inclusive Rehearsals focuses on how to run a fun and engaging instrumental ensemble rehearsal for musicians at all instrument skill levels, while Learning By Ear demonstrates how to run an instrumental rehearsal without the use of notation. Using short film clips from the rehearsals, the modules set reflective tasks for the user through an embedded Conductor’s Notebook, asking participants to practise and plan using ensemble leadership approaches featured in the videos. Both rehearsals featured in the modules build to a successful musical performance for each ensemble.

The course draws on nine years of expertise developed and demonstrated with our extensive experience leading inclusive ensemble music making for 11-18 year olds through our National Orchestra for All and Modulo Programme.