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Brass band conducting

Brass band conducting

Conducting trains you to be a professional conductor for the amateur sector. You can choose from two main subjects: choral conducting and brass band conducting. You will learn to orchestrate and arrange, and will acquire a knowledge of the theory of music, a mastery of playing from scores along with choral and orchestral training skills.

Specific admission criteria for Brass band conducting

In addition to the general admission criteria, there are also specific instrumental requirements. 

- If the admission procedure takes place online, submit at least 2 video recordings of at least 10 minutes in total:

1. a recording of a performed percussion technique exercise, preferably sung and simultaneously conducted, eg from Metafoor, workbook by Alex Schillings, from which a lot of work is also done during the main subject lessons.

2. a recording in which you conduct a repertoire piece of your choice from the hafabra literature for a lower division.

- If the audition takes place live, show that you:

1. can conduct a 5-minute home preparation work with pianist and/or recording. You bring the sound recording yourself.

2. can rehearse a short fragment from a composition/percussion technique exercise with a pianist.

3. Be able to perform short conducting assignments/percussion exercises that the teachers ask you to do on the spot.

A motivational interview with the principal subject teachers involved is an important part of the admission procedure. This conversation will take place online or live. In this conversation you are expected to be able to articulate that your desire to learn how to conduct an orchestra and become a professional conductor is based on a high degree of intrinsic motivation. Your current knowledge of the specific hafabra repertoire will also be discussed.

In the recordings/live audition and in the motivational interview you demonstrate that:

· you decide on a renewed sound performance;

· your various characters within the music to be able to put into motor movements (conducting as language, non-verbal communication)

· you have a developed sense of meter, which you are able to transfer to future ones (measures and beats, ferma, dynamic differences, articulation, etc.);

· you deal with some knowledge of the instruments (orchestra training), the composition of and the repertoire for wind orchestras;

· you are sure to increase your knowledge of similar aspects.

Major lecturers

Fried  Dobbelstein

Fried Dobbelstein

Teacher Conducting HaFaBra 
Conductor for (inter)national orchestras, gives conducting workshops, two-time world champion WMC Kerkrade, organist, jury member for concert competitions in and outside of the Netherlands

Alex  Schillings

Alex Schillings

Teacher Hafabra Conduction
Conductor for the Banda Sinfonica Portugesa and Harmonieorkest Concordia Obbicht, author of book 'Metafoor' (guide for conductors), guest teacher and conductor for many international orchestras