Developing as a conductor requires more than accumulating experience or ;earning additional beat patterns.
Do you have a systematic approach through which your conducting technique continues to grow?
Conductors are often unable to discuss their growth in conducting because few people around them understand what is involved. This paper is work in progress on matters, ideas and inspirations that have been crystallising in recent years.
Please follow the link and if you are interested, please join with me in a constructive conversation.
This Plenary Presentation was given on Sunday 15th March at the VCE Music Teachers Conference hosted by the Association of Music Educators (Victoria) (aMuse) at Trinity Grammar School, Kew.
Click here to view the PDF slides. The last slides have a bibliography and contact details should you have a question to ask.
This article was a fascinating description of how a professional conductor trained a brilliant Aussie actor Cate Blanchett for her role as Lydia Tár in the movie Tár, just released in USA at the end of 2022. So what does an actor need to learn to be authentic in the performance of a Mahler Symphony with a top symphony orchestra? A fascinating article for all conductors to read.
Tar starring Aussie actor Cate Blanchett has brought into public conversation the process of how a conductor releases a performance. I have enjoyed the reviews, interviews of Cate and the speech she gave when receiving an award in Florida in January 2023.
This film was released in USA in October 2022, but has not been released in Australia at the time of writing this post.
Two key observations Cate made about being a conductor and being involved in this project:
process and collaboration
Her summary of the film is “it just is”.
Review Cate’s own words through clicking on this link to Classic FM article ‘I didn’t base the character of Lydia Tár on anyone’ – Cate Blanchett in conversation with Classic FM 19th January 2023 – click here
This is one of four famous and well known Chinese folk tales. Butterfly Lovers dates back to around 700AD when it was first written down. I have had the fortune to conduct the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto composed by two university students in 1959 by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang. One of my performances was with the Carey Baptist Grammar School Symphony Orchestra and the other with The Grainger Wind Symphony.
On Thursday 13th October 2022, I had the pleasure to experience a new version of this tale. The Victorian Opera staged The Butterfly Lovers to a score composed by their Artistic Director Richard Mills. I wrote a short review as part of a Facebook post. A superb performance on so many levels.
Update: On February 28 2026, I curated a concert Celebrating The Chinese Lunar New Year with the Grainger Wind Symphony and guest soloists. Along with other contemporary Chinese composers, we performed The Liang Zhu: Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto. In this performance Alyssa Wong, then music student who just completed her Music Degree, to perform the solo violin. The other works in the program allowed me to touch my Chinese heritage through performing the music written by contemporary Asian composers.
I really enjoyed the conducting of Nodoka Okisawa conducting Debussy, Takemitsu, Ravel and Melody Eötvös. I thought she displayed excellent technique and control of the sounds made by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in concert on Saturday 15th October 2022 in Hamer Hall. I thought that she demonstrated a wonderful array of Saito Conducting techniques and so effectively. I found the concert so engaging, noticing how well the orchestra responded to her gestures and artistry. despite her slight stature, she had an enormous presence on the podium.
I have had the privilege of being a guest teacher of conducting at Christ deemed to be a university in Bangalore, India. The new music department is based on Western Art Music and I work with Professor Andrey Morozov and professor Travis Ashton-Bell. I started in July 2021. The basis of my teaching is the Saito Conducting Method. Of course I am not in India. I am in the land of “sweeping plains” teaching over Zoom, Google Drive, Google Classroom and OBS. I am learning a lot about using this technology and developing suitable materials. Everyone in India are so supportive and interested. It i both a challenge and at lot of fun!
I am pleased to have given support to provide 12 emerging composers an opportunity to have their work workshopped and performed by The Grainger Wind Symphony conducted by myself.
The process began with a call for submissions from emerging Australian composers back in 2019. But COVID restrictions cause the performance to be postponed to 3 September 2023! The short-listed composers received detailed feedback on how the score and parts could be improved so performers could see their intentions more clearly. It took a lot of hours!
A total of 21 compositions were received, only 12 were selected for performance. After considering the suggestions, composers resubmitted their score and set of parts, which were then printed. Rehearsal commenced and composers were invited to come to a rehearsal for a chat. Some connected via video conferencing technology because they lived too far away. To meet the composer was an important link for every musician when performing their work.
Through the services of Paul, a member of GWS, each composer has received audio recordings of their work in rehearsal and performance. This was important so composers could hear how their work sounded by live musicians.
The concert was Saturday 3rd September 2022 in Salvation Army Box Hill Hall.
Since the concert, several composers have given feedback that they approved for posting publicly. To see the comments, click here.
Take a look at this Youtube documentary of this dynamic Mexican conductor. I celebrate videos like these that show us the attitude and personality of women conductors in action. A wonderful model not only for my conducting students, but for all conductors in the 21st Century. Enjoy!
Roland Yeung, long time ABODA contributor and life member, presented as part of ANBOC 2021 hosted in Western Australia. He presented two sessions which were recorded on video. ANBOC 21 was an on-line only conference.
ANBOC 2021 Music Moves Us presented by ABODA WA
Presentation One: The Creativity of Percy Grainger. This provides an update on new and exciting resources related to ‘Understanding the Creativity of Percy Grainger’ including the new Grainger Journal and discussions on Grainger’s folk song studies.
Presentation Two:In The Beginning – Then What Happened!! Roland will be exploring how young teacher-conductors can use conducting strategies and techniques to ensure excellent performances at festivals and competitions. The conducting techniques demonstrated use the principles of the Saito Conducting Method.
