Conducting a symphonic band is Devin Patrick Hughes‘ life’s work. A prolific composer and concert musician, he has played in many prominent venues including the White House and the State Department. His orchestral arrangements have featured in numerous television and film projects, as well as numerous documentaries. From his home in Chicago, he has made several live appearances throughout the United States, as well as Canada and England.
Conducting an orchestra is a unique musical art form. The conductor’s duty is to interpret the text of each piece of music that he is playing. The composer of the symphony must complete the score in manuscript form before it can be passed on to the conductor.
A conductor is responsible for matching the style and
genre of the music with his skills as a musician. Playing in a symphony requires composing symphonies composed of different genres. Being able to blend the styles and match them appropriately is the goal of every conductor.
Conductors are trained to listen carefully to each note of a piece of music and then match it to the appropriate instrument. This skill takes a great deal of training and listening. However, anyone can train to become a conductor if they take the time and commitment to do so. The first step is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in music in order to become a qualified conductor. After this, it is simply a matter of choosing which university to attend and majoring in music, regardless of major.
A conductor is typically hired for a variety of reasons. It could be because the original composer did not have the necessary skills to create music on their own, or it could be because the creator of the piece needed someone to guide them through their creation. Many times, they are needed to conduct a concert. While some conductors do not perform their own music, most conduct schools will teach their students how to play an instrument and how to conduct a concert. Finding a good conductor should be relatively easy.
When applying to be a conductor, there are several requirements. Some of these are a high school diploma, although it is not always required. Most conductors must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Often, this is done by taking classes at a music university. Some conductors decide to go on and earn a master’s degree as well. Whatever path a conductor chooses, he or she will need to attend a music school and complete a strict curriculum.
While it is possible to get a job without a college degree, it is often necessary for conductors to have them. Most employers look for candidates with a college degree because they believe that these individuals have a musical ear that makes them well suited to playing many different types of music. While a degree will not guarantee employment, it is certainly one requirement that most employers look for. Students who want to be professional conductors must also learn different skills such as leadership, teamwork and other professionalism skills. They can learn these skills while attending Arapahoe High School and through various additional courses.
Conductors can find work in a variety of different fields. While a majority of conductors are hired to conduct ceremonies at weddings and funerals, they also can be found conducting at jazz festivals, science conferences, corporate events and various other occasions. As long as a conductor is dedicated to his or her profession, it is very unlikely that he or she will ever lose their job. Whether they choose to pursue a degree or just start out as a student, people who like to play an instrument and like to be involved with the music community will likely wind up choosing a career as a conductor.
