Louis Scaglione, Music Director
Rosalind Erwin, Program Director
The PYO Music Institute “Introduction to Conducting Course” is a 16-week, two-part course (Basic Introduction and Advanced Introduction) that culminates with a short concert where all Advanced participants will have the opportunity to conduct a short selection with the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO). Under the direction of Maestra Rosalind Erwin, this PYOMI value-added program is open to all current YMDO, PYAO, and PYO students who have a healthy curiosity and active interest regarding what is taking place on the podium and why.
The course consists of two sessions throughout the season—the Introduction to Conducting course in the Fall and Advanced Introduction to Conducting course in the Spring—and are both free of charge to all interested members. The classes are offered at PYOMI’s Rittenhouse location, St. Patrick Hall, on Saturdays in between PYO and YMDO’s rehearsal time, and Sundays before PYAO’s rehearsal time. Participation in the Advanced sections is dependent upon successful completion of the initial Introduction sections held in the fall.
“I have found the act of allowing young players to stand on the podium for even a brief amount of time initiates a glimmer of understanding as to what this very difficult art form is all about. The ensemble ultimately watches better during performance and learns much more… Sharing the art of conducting with the young musicians of the PYO Music Institute is an enlightening experience not only for them, but also for me! I find hidden talents among so very many participants as we explore the various gestures required to conduct different metric patterns, how to understand concepts such as ‘beat’ juxtaposed with ‘rhythm’, and foremost, how to be courageous when tasked with conducting one’s peers!”
– Maestra Rosalind Erwin