<p>Soooo....</p>
<p>I am a piano major with a lot of experience playing in orchestras as a violinist, where I have gained a great interest in conducting, mostly orchestral and opera. What classes would be necessary to take so that I have the tools that I need to be a conductor. I thought about voice lessons but I don't know if that is needed or not.</p>
<p>It would be great if there is anything else that I should know!</p>
<p>Have you taken instrumental and choral conducting classes as electives yet? I would talk with my college adviser and see what they suggest. I think most people start a conducting major in grad school but do not know for sure. There are summer programs such as Pierre Montreux in Maine and I know some other workshops you might want to look into. You might also talk with conductors at your school to see what they advise. My son is entering his junior year and is looking forward to instrumental conducting class this semester but it is required of composition majors at his school. </p>
<p>I forgot to add----BESIDES conducting classes…I want to do more than just conducting classes. I did contact two of the conducting professors about private lessons. Yes most people start in grad school but I would like to get a head start, and yes I also looked into the summer conducting programs, including Bard, Aspen, AMF, Pierre Monteux, etc. </p>
<p>I would take a lot of musical analysis courses, with intense score readings. Music history. Some composition classes, particularly an orchestration course. Have you completed the music theory sequence at your school? All the aural skills classes? Your ear, as a conductor, needs to be particularly developed. And, start conducting. You can gather together a group of friends and put on a concert. Most applicants to the top grad programs - even though they don’t have an undergrad degree in conducting, come in with a lot of experience and a developed resume. I would definitely start attending those summer programs asap.</p>
<p>Just as SpiritManager says!
You don’t need voice lessons, but score reading and great piano skills are needed. You can also look at grad programs in co-operative piano and summer and VP/Opera Yaps which have openings for “coaches”. You’ll work with singers, helping them prepare roles and may spend time as a rehearsal/performance pianist. The skills gained there can really pave the way into conducting.</p>