Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals [Paperback]

Brock McElheran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 1989

Conducting Technique has been accepted as a standard text for both choral and orchestral conducting courses taught at universities, colleges, and conservatories throughout the English-speaking world. For this revised edition the author has made a number of corrections and additions, including a new preface.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brock McElheran is a graduate of the University of Toronto [B.A., Mus.B.] and Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at the Crane School of Music, State University College of Arts & Science, Potsdam, New York. He is Director of the Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (March 9, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0193858304
• ISBN-13: 978-0193858305
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #534,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, most concise book of its kind, March 1, 2000

By 

R. Wilson "Image Recordings" (Woodbridge, CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals (Paperback)

I have been conducting orchestras professionally for almost 20 years, and I must say that this wonderful book is the clearest, most concise, and most useful conducting book available. In addition to a no-nonsense presentation of basic beat patterns, it contains virtually every technical problem a young conductor is likely to encounter, with logical and intelligent solutions to those problems.

You will refer to this book, as I do, for the rest of your musical life!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent general conducting book, March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals (Paperback)

I bought this book originally because it was offered by a handbell music/supply company. Since then it has been recommended to me by just about all the conductors I have worked with. It has the basics but also has details that even a pro can go back to again and again. Its format is very compressed and the presentation is entertaining and straightforward.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear diagrams; easy to read, June 26, 2004

By 

T. Sparfeld (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals (Paperback)

This book has become a common introductory text for undergraduate level conducting gesture in the United States. In this respect, the book is extremely effective.

McElheran's treatise is laid out in ultra-clear chapters, all of which are concise and contain possible "Assignments." Not to get too bogged down in the mire of conducting gesture, McElheran's first chapter is on Inspiration. In short, "make the performers want to do their best," he says.

The next few chapters cover aspects such as the baton, beat patterns, the left hand, dynamics and other aspects of music, cues, off-beat accents, fermatas, and some aspects about rehearsals and performance. There are more chapters but you get the picture. All are good.

Some readers may wonder if this is meant for "orchestral" or "choral" conducting. McElheran states clearly that there is (or should be) little difference and that choral conductors should develop an orchestral technique. While I would say that good choral and orchestral conducing are about 95 % similar (perhaps even more so), choral conductors should be aware that there are some differences, especially in ideas of always "hitting the imaginary table" or conducting every single beat. Nonetheless, Conducting Technique can be very helpful for the beginning choral conductor.

Moreover, McElheran's writing style is very fresh and full of self-effacing wit. Reading the book gives one the impression that Brock McElheran is the type of person who takes the art of music seriously but not himself seriously. I think any beginner of conducting should consult this book, and even professionals might want to have it around just as a reference.