Choral Conductor Expressivity

Discussion

While music is often thought of as an aural phenomenon, the physical movement musicians incorporate as part of a musical performance has been seen to exert an effect on observers. Conducting presents a potentially unique opportunity to examine this phenomenon since it is an entirely physical task, one with which sound is associated but not actually produced. The assumption that conductor quality has a significant bearing on performance is substantiated generally by the considerable care given to the selection of conductors for professional ensembles and specifically by the mandated inclusion of conducting study in the preparation of music educators. ...