What is a CONDUCTOR?

cnthumbnailfundamentals
Spencer Imbrock/Unsplash

Age Range: Elementary

Learning Objective: Students will learn about the job of a conductor.

ENGAGE students

ASK. “Ever wonder exactly what that person waving a stick in front of an orchestra is doing? That person is called a ‘conductor.’ Large groups of people need leaders to help them work together. A football team has a head coach. A classroom has a teacher. And an orchestra has a conductor. Have you ever wondered exactly what a conductor needs to do to help an orchestra play together? Today we will learn about the job of conducting an orchestra.”

EXPLORE sounds

WATCH. Watch conductor Sarah Hicks explain her job in this Class Notes video:

REVIEW. Review these main ideas:

  • Conductors help musicians start and stop together.

  • Conductors set the tempo, or speed, that everyone will play.

  • Conductors show the beat patterns.

  • Conductors show different musicians when to start playing with a cue, or a motion directed at them.

  • Conductors help musicians play the right dynamics, or volume.

EXTEND learning

Choose one or more of the following activities to extend learning.

CONDUCT. “When conductors see this in their music - 4/4 - they trace this pattern in the air:”

Conducting chart
 
Wikimedia Commons

“Try tracing a 4/4 beat pattern in the air, saying each number when your finger reaches it in the pattern.” (Practice this with students.) “Now, try conducting along with this music in 4/4. Get ready to move fast!”

00:00
0
Six Bagatelles (No. 1) - Gyorgy Ligeti
Gyorgy Ligeti Six Bagatelles (No. 1) Quintette Moragues

“When conductors see this in their music - 3/4 - they trace this pattern in the air:”

Conducting chart
 
Wikimedia Commons

“Try tracing your finger along in the air with this pattern while saying ‘1, 2, 3.’ (Practice this with students.) “Now, try conducting along with this piece in 3/4!”

WATCH. Watch three famous conductors - Gustavo Dudamel, JoAnn Falletta, and William Eddins - and notice their individual style. Whose style do you like the best? Whose beat pattern is easiest to follow?

Related Lesson Plans

Logo YourClassical Class Notes

YourClassical is a public media organization and your support makes it possible.

Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

©2024 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved.
Facebook icon
YouTube icon
Instagram icon