MUK172 Ensemble Direction (Spring 2026)

Upon completion of the course, students shall:

• have good command of conducting techniques
• have good command of methods for studying scores
• have good command of rehearsal and concert procedures
• have knowledge of instruments and their use in different ensembles
• have knowledge of the mechanisms of the freelance music market and have practiced communication/presentation and cooperation

Course includes:

• work with the execution of time signatures, as well as conducting techniques for features such as upbeats, stopping, fermatas, tempi and similar
• work with studying scores and rehearsing music for winds, choir or strings
• work with instrument knowledge
• conducting smaller groups of different instrumentation (also choir)
• conducting class ensembles and practicing communication/presentation and cooperation
• supervised professional training with freelance ensembles

Ensemble direction is a practically oriented course involving practice-relevant and student active tuition. Parts of the tuition is offered as group-tuition focusing on conducting skills and repertoire knowledge. The main portion of the course is executed trough practice-ensembles where students often participate as singers/instrumentalists to observe eahothers work, as well as being able to conduct themselves under supervision. Through conducting various ensembles, they are trained communicate and collaborate.

Parts of the tuition is mandatory. These will be presented in Canvas at the beginning of the semester. 

Expected workload for an average student is 27 hours per credit.

Recognized attendance for the lessons.

Further information is provided in Canvas at the beginning of the semester

Individual, practical exam conducting pieces (approx. 7 minutes) chosen from a prepared repertoire (approx. 40 minutes).

Assessment: Passed/not passed