Explore the art of choral conducting through specialized workshops and seminars, hands-on practicums, engaging masterclasses, score study and receive instruction from professional musicians.
The Advanced Performance Program (APP) Choral Conducting Certificate is for musicians looking to explore the art of choral conducting in a supportive and collaborative environment. Students will spend time developing as an artist and as a music scholar, learn how to structure effective rehearsals, communicate through gesture and more.
The Choral Conducting Certificate program including coursework and masterclasses run on Wednesdays from September to May. Please note that the Ensemble Conducting Practicum may take place on an alternate day.
APP students receive daily access to practice studios in our world-class facility. To graduate with an Extension Certificate, APP students must successfully complete all required courses.
Required courses
Masterclass
- Masterclasses are at the heart of music instruction and provide students with an opportunity to explore the art of conducting together with peers and our designated APP faculty. Development as a complete conductor requires an individual to spend time exploring and developing as a musician, as a music scholar, an artist, and as a conductor. Exploration of topics in conducting and the opportunity to explore the varied and important communicative qualities possible through gesture are integral to becoming a well-rounded conductor. Understanding how to plan and structure a rehearsal and the significant impact the conductor has on an effective rehearsal is vital for any individual pursuing a career on the podium. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the art of conducting in a supportive and collaborative environment where discussion, feedback, and improvement can be explored in-depth in a way that is not always possible when a student is engaged in practicum studies.
Score study
- Score Study classes provide students with key skills and tools for interpreting and preparing a score prior to taking the podium to conduct an ensemble. Preparation is key to the development not only of a conductor but of the ensemble itself. Clear analysis, preparation, and planning allow for efficient rehearsals and provide more opportunity for conductors to engage the more nuanced aesthetics of a given work while providing musicians clear direction that can be effectively brought to bear upon the individual and collective artistry of the ensemble. In addition to score markings and rehearsal preparations, this course contains a significant music theory portion that requires students to analyse selected works and to articulate how this knowledge impacts the interpretive possibilities of a work.
Music research and performance seminar
- Music Research and Performance Seminar classes provide students with the skills necessary to gain in depth knowledge and understanding of period styles, approaches, and the theoretical, historical and contextual knowledge that must be brought to bear when analyzing, and interpreting any given musical work. Exploration of repertoire together with analysis of varied interpretations to the same piece of music allows conductors to gain further understanding of the choices and influence they are able to bring to a given work. This course provides key tools for aspiring conductors to make informed decisions that greatly impact the final performance outcome.
Instrumental ensemble conducting seminar
- Instrumental Ensemble Conducting Seminar classes provide students with key skills and tools required to conduct an instrumental ensemble. Detailed knowledge of instrumental technique, especially string technique, as well as instrument transposition and the nuance of each section within the orchestra provides conductors with the ability to appropriately articulate direction and make requests of a varied group of instrumentalists. Preparation is key to the development not only of a conductor but of the ensemble itself. A clear understanding of the instruments and sections of the orchestra and how they function allows for efficient rehearsals, providing more opportunity for conductors to engage the more nuanced aesthetics of a given work while providing musicians clear direction that can be effectively brought to bear upon the individual and collective artistry of the ensemble.
Vocal pedagogy choral conducting seminar
- Choral Conducting Seminar classes provide students with key skills and tools required to conduct any choral related ensemble including working with choral symphonic repertoire. Detailed knowledge of key languages, IPA, diction, and vocal technique provides conductors with the ability to appropriately articulate direction and make requests of both solo and ensemble singers. Preparation is key to the development not only of a conductor but of the ensemble itself. A clear understanding of diction, the voice, and how it functions allows for efficient rehearsals, providing more opportunity for conductors to engage the more nuanced aesthetics of a given work while providing musicians clear direction that can be effectively brought to bear upon the individual and collective artistry of the singing ensemble.
Specialized workshops
- The workshops provided each year (up to 18 hours per year) are meant to further augment the development of aspiring professional musicians. Workshops provide an in-depth look into key areas of development that musicians should be aware of and consider outside of the rigour of regular rehearsal and performance. The workshops vary each year with topics addressing the music business, managing and avoiding repetitive strain injuries commonly faced by musicians, topics on historically informed performance, developments in technique, music history, and theory. The world of music is ever-changing, as are the needs and abilities of today’s musicians. These workshops are meant to help students ponder the possibilities and prepare for a career in music.
Ensemble conducting practicum
- Ensemble Conducting Practicum provides students with the opportunity to work alongside one of our orchestra or choral conductors to gain practical experience in the art of conducting. Through Ensemble Conducting Practicum studies students develop key skills related to ensemble conducting, artistic interpretation and execution, communication through gesture, leadership, musicianship, and performance acumen. Aspiring conductors learn to work collaboratively with a large group of people to realize and express the intentions of the composer, and the music through careful and well thought out interpretations and preparation of a given piece of music.
Elective courses
The APP Program offers a discounted rate (not included in the APP tuition) for elective courses. Elective courses such as music literacy, improvisation and independent study are available to APP students. See course list for more information.
Audition requirements
See details below or visit the program area page for complete audition requirements.
Tuition and scholarships
Get the latest information on tuition fees and scholarship opportunities.