Some Thoughts on Conducting

Abstract

“THIS ARTICLE,” says the author, “is primarily intended for choral conductors. It hopes to say in brief that conducting of vocal groups fundamentally should be along musical lines, and only incidentally along vocal lines.” Mr. King, in addressing choral conductors, realizes that “experienced conductors, his seniors in the field” will feel that the article is elementary in approach; nevertheless he covets participation of all who conduct choral groups in a frank and honest discussion of the various factors, elementary and otherwise, which contribute to musical conducting. “It is my thesis,” says Mr. King, “that one's conducting should be understandable by any choral group, and by instrumentalists as well. We have too many conductors whose sign language can be understood only by their own singers—and then only after a considerable familiarity with the signs has been established.”