Beyond the Baton: What Every Conductor Needs to Know

By Diane Wittry

Book Overview

Seasoned conductor Diane Wittry draws a comprehensive roadmap to a successful career in Beyond the Baton. With first-hand understanding of how the role of the conductor has changed across the years, she expertly examines the new set of duties--both on and off of the podium--that now fall upon the shoulders of the music director.

From getting a job to fundraising and educational outreach, Wittry's comprehensive tips and strategies guide students and professional conductors alike through the leadership and organizational skills necessary for success. Numerous real-life examples illustrate vital skills for artistic leadership such as programming subscription, pops, and educational concerts; understanding the budget and the music director's role in funding the artistic vision; and presenting speeches, and radio and televised interviews. In informative conversations with the author, successful conductors Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, and JoAnn Falletta offer tips from personal experience on how music directors can work successfully with orchestras, and what their roles are with the board and the community.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199773939
• ISBN13: 9780199773930
• Release Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Beyond the Baton

I am not a conductor; however, I am a leader within a service organization. There are several leadership qualities pointed out in this book that apply across all disciplines. It's a good read, if you need a sanity check as a leader. I highly recommend it.

awesome...a must have for conductors

This book is mandatory for anyone who seriously entertains the idea of conducting for a living. It reveals many secrets you'll never learn in "conductor school." The author is trying to spare us all from years of learning on the job and making costly mistakes.

Fabulous Book!

This book is a must for anyone who wants to be a conductor of Symphony Orchestras in the United States. It contains an incredible wealth of information and a great resource section. I would buy it for the thematic programming section alone!