The Conductor's Podcast

The Conductor's Podcast with ConductHER

All About Chaowen Ting

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Joshua Palkki, Curating a unqiue choral experiences

Joshua Palkki (he/him) is Associate Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta where he leads the Chamber Choir and Glee Club and Founding Artistic Director of We Resound, a new LGBTQA and ally youth chorus in Atlanta. He is the co-author of Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education (Oxford University Press, 2021). In today's episode, we discussed Josh's background, teaching and conducting experiences with choirs, and his research in LGBTQA choral experiences. Learn more about Josh at joshpalkki.com or follow him @drpalkkimusic All About Chaowen Ting

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Note-Taking as Assistant Conductor

In today's episode, I will be sharing how I take notes as an assistant conductor when working for an ensemble - both instrumental or vocal, or in an opera production. RELATED EPISODES - check them out if you haven't already! Season 1: LIVE: Assistant Conductor Positions with Michelle Di Russo and Michelle Rofrano Season 3: Ask Me Anything with Orchestra Conductors [panel discussion in 2024] 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹, 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence & former Assistant Conductor, Memphis Symphony 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗶 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗼, Dudamel Fellow, LA Philharmonic; Associate Conductor, North Carolina Symphony 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮, Assistant Conductor & Diversity Fellow, Buffalo Philharmonic 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗫𝗶𝗮, Associate Conductor, Seattle Symphony All About Chaowen Ting

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Dana Fonteneau, The WholeHearted Musician, and fulfill your unique potential

Dana Fonteneau is a former concert cellist and now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, performance consultant, and founder of WholeHearted Musician™ and Dana Fonteneau Consulting, LLC. I worked with Dana during 2023-24 when she was one of my coaches. She helped me gain clarity of my WHY, who I am as an artist, and learning how mind and body connects. To learn more about Dana's work, visit her website at danafonteneau.com. You can also read her book It’s Not (JUST) About the Gig: A Musician’s Guide to Creating the Mindset Which Leads to Career Success AND Fulfillment which is available on AMAZON, or Book a Complimentary & Confidential Discovery Session with her. All About Chaowen Ting

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Choral VS Orchestral Conducting

In today's episode, I will be answering a question posted on instagram - choral vs orchestral conducting. The essence of all conducting is to convey your understanding of the music to influence and support the musicians' music-making. When we have different ensembles, it's important to look at different needs of choral singers, and to adjust the height of your conducting gestures, and to show phrasing and support breathing. All About Chaowen Ting

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Marcus Norris, South Side Symphony, and being an entrepreneur

Dr. Marcus Norris is a composer and conductor, who has orchestrate several songs for Beyoncé's 2023 Dubai return to live performance and served as Music Director for Tina Knowles-Lawson's 2022 Wearable Art Gala. Marcus founded South Side Symphony in 2020, which he describes as "like if Quincy Jones grew up on 90s R&B and Rap." I had the privelege to conduct Marcus' opera Forsyth County is Flooding (with the Joy of Lake Lanier) after he won the 96 Hour Opera Project organized by the Atlanta Opera. It's a great conversation in which we spoke about Marcus' musical journey, new project with South Side Symphony, and entrepreneurship. Learn more about Marcus and his music, visit www.MarcusNorris.com and www.SouthSideSymphony.org or @MarcusNorris on IG. Watch the world premiere of Marcus' opera Forsyth County is Flooding on Atlanta Opera Streaming Site with a free account, production conducted by Chaowen Ting. All About Chaowen Ting

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Season 4: Happy 2026

Welcome back to Season 4 of the Conductor's Podcast. You will hear interviews with some great people whom I think are really really cool, and also solo episodes with me answering questions about conducting study, rehearsal, or the industry. Happy listening! All About Chaowen Ting

How I Use Recordings for Score Study

Do you also use recordings to help your score study process? Today I am going to share a few things that I do with recordings! 1. See the many interpretational possibilities regarding tempi, balance, or conducting patterns. 2. Check what I might have missed in your score study (dynamics, chord change, important lines, or bringing out a different layer) 3. Memory check when memorizing the score 4. Know what might need rehearsals 5. Help visualize the score 6. The choreography of conducting gestures, 7. Bowings consultance All About Chaowen Ting

Ask Me Anything with Band Conductors

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 20, 2024. The session was moderated by my colleague Dr. Janet Kim, and our panelists were: Shelley Axelson, Director of Bands, Radford University Julia Baumanis, Associate Director of Bands, Rutgers University Tina Dimeglio, Associate Director of Bands, University of South Florida If you missed my interview with Julia Baumanis in Season 1 Episode 31 where we spoke about her journey as a band director, check out: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/31/ All About Chaowen Ting

Kevin Fitzgerald

Catching up with returning guest Kevin Fitzgerald :) Make sure you check out or revisit my interview with Kevin in Season 2 when we talked about audition preparation and navigating the business: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/s2e7/ AND https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/s2e8/ All About Chaowen Ting

Key Preperations for Competitions (and As a Conductor in General)

Five key preparation factors for competitions (and as a good conductor in general!) 1. Know the score inside out 2. Have (form and be very firm) your own opinion about the music 3. Have enough techniques to deliver your ideas 4. Keep a high energy and engage musicians at all times 5. Develop problem solving skills - rehearsal techniques, interruptions from the jury, being asked to do a piece you are less good at All About Chaowen Ting

Ask Me Anything with Choral Conductors

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 6, 2024. The session was moderated by my colleague Dr. Janet Kim, and our panelists were: Arianne Abela, Director of the Choral Program, Amherst College Maria A. Ellis, the Girl Conductor Amanda Hanzlik, Director of Choirs, E.O. Smith High School; President - Elect, ACDA Eastern Region Liana Salinas, Artistic Director, Miami Children's Chorus If you missed my interview with Maria A. Ellis in Season 1 Episode 2 where I interviewed someone for the very first time - she is so inspiring!! Check it out: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/2/ All About Chaowen Ting

Anna Sułkowska-Migoń

Very happy to welcome Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, the winner of the 2022 La Maestra Competition in Paris, where I was a quarter-finalist. Anna and I talked about her experience after the competition, her growth and challenges, and what she has learned in her journey. This interview was recorded in May 2024 when Anna was expecting her daughter and we wish her and her family a wonderful start of this new chapter. Learn more about Anna: https://annasulkowskamigon.com/ All About Chaowen Ting

Ask Me Anything with Orchestra Conductors - Education / Youth

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 3, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were: Juhi Bensal, composer, conductor, and educator Joanna Drimatis, Music Director and Chief Conductor, Beecroft Orchestra Katie LaBrie, composer, conductor, and educator All About Chaowen Ting

Ask Me Anything with Opera Conductors

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on April 28, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were: Marta Gardolinska, Music Director, Opera national de Lorraine Stephanie Rhodes Russell, Founder, Women’s Artistic Leadership Initiative; Guest Conductor, Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Washington National Opera Michelle Rofrano, Artistic Director, PROTESTRA; Guest Conductor, Madison Opera, City Lyric Opera, Curtis Institute of Music If you missed my interview with Michelle Rofrano in Season 1 Episode 3 where we discussed programming for social causes, make sure to revisit it: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/3/ All About Chaowen Ting

My Thoughts on Conducting Competitions

I've always thought that I wasn't a good competition type of conductor, until I realized that I actually convinced myself that I wasn't good in a certain area so I didn't need to continue improving myself. From 2022, I entered La Maestra Competition in Paris, won the 3rd Prize at Kussewitzky Competition 2023 and 2nd Prize at the Mendelssohn Competition 2024. In this season's episodes, I will be sharing more what I've learned in my journey. But before that, my thoughts on conducting competitions - they are just one of the many events that are going to shape and form your conducting journey. 1. Be super clear why you are doing it, and list your learning objectvies 2. Focus on things we can control 3. Know what you need to be successful PS. My interview with Lina Gonzalez Granados on organizing your score, time, and journey in Season 1 Episode 38: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/organize-your-score-time-and-journey-with-lina-gonzalez-granados/ All About Chaowen Ting

Andrea Brown

I finally had the pleasure to meet and speak with Dr. Andrea Brown, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland. Previously served as director of orchestra and assistant director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and assistant director of bands at the University of Michigan, we spoke about her experience as a conductor and the founder of “Women Rising to the Podium.” All About Chaowen Ting

Ask Me Anything with Orchestra Conductors

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on April 3, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were: 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹, 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence & former Assistant Conductor, Memphis Symphony 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗶 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗼, Dudamel Fellow, LA Philharmonic; Associate Conductor, North Carolina Symphony 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮, Assistant Conductor & Diversity Fellow, Buffalo Philharmonic 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗫𝗶𝗮, Associate Conductor, Seattle Symphony If you missed my interview with Kalena Bovell in Season 1 Episode 14 where we discussed time management skills, make sure to revisit it: https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/14/ All About Chaowen Ting

Chloé Dufresne

My first in person interview for the podcast with conductor Chloé Dufresne, recorded on February 23, 2024 when she visited Atlanta through the Villa Albertine artist residence program with the French Consulate in Atlanta. We talked about her conducting training, experiences with American and European orchestras, and current and upcoming projects. Learn more about Chloé: https://www.chloedufresne.com/ All About Chaowen Ting

3 Biggest Mistakes at Conducting Competitions and Workshops

Based on my experiences teaching conducting workshops and participating in competitions, the three biggest mistakes are: 1. Worrying so much about the ensemble problems when you are the one causing the problems. 2. Only concerned about your conducting, your vision of the music and fail to connect with musicians. 3. Thinking that it’s only about conducting - how about your leadership styles, interpersonal skills, and the way you present yourself? All About Chaowen Ting