Conducting: Academic Choral Conducting

What is taught in this field

In the Academic Choral Conducting programme, students study the core principles of choral art and music theory in depth. The programme is offered at the Uzbekistan State Conservatory and its Nukus branch. Training is focused on building professional skills: working with a choir, voice production and balancing choral voices, and reading and analysing scores.

• choral conducting and methods of working with a choir;
• harmony, polyphony and music theory;
• score reading and analysis of musical works;
• choral literature and history of music;
• basics of piano and vocal training;
• voice production and choral performance practice.

Who will the graduate become

Graduates become specialists in academic choral conducting. They can work as artistic directors or conductors of professional and amateur choirs, in music schools, and in cultural and arts institutions. Work as a music teacher, choirmaster or head of a choral department is also possible.

Where you can work

In Uzbekistan, graduates can work:

• in conservatories, music colleges and schools;
• in philharmonic societies, theatres and concert organisations;
• in culture centres and palaces of culture;
• in academic and folk choirs and ensembles;
• in state and non-state organisations that run educational and cultural events.

Who this suits

This programme suits young people with a strong interest in music, a good musical ear, a sense of rhythm and an enjoyment of working in a team. Leadership skills, attentiveness and patience are also important for conducting. Some prior preparation in singing and music theory will be helpful. If you dream of creating art on stage together with a choir, this field may be a good fit for you.