Prelude Conducting Academy
The Prelude Conducting Academy returns after an enormously successful debut in 2018! Maestro Gambetta developed this innovative, inclusive conducting course for:
- novice conductors searching for an outstanding first workshop;
- music educators who wish to improve their conducting skills;
- student conductors preparing for graduate conducting study; and
- experienced conductors preparing for auditions or competitions.
Novice Conductors
Maybe you recently took a conducting class or started private conducting lessons, and you feel ready to lead a professional ensemble. The Novice Track offers a carefully selected repertoire list that will facilitate your technical development while thoughtful, supportive instruction corrects physical problems, deepens your musicianship and builds your confidence.
Music Educators
After a few years of conducting band or orchestra, music educators often find deficiencies in their conducting that they would like to address. The Music Educator Track facilitates eliminating unproductive movement habits and sharpening your conducting practice in a safe, supportive learning environment.
Graduate Studies
Are you preparing for graduate conducting study? The Graduate Studies Track offers opportunities to study and conduct pieces listed on many graduate audition lists, and you will receive additional coaching from the faculty designed to help you succeed at the audition and receive that all important letter of acceptance.
Competitions/Auditions
Perhaps you are considering competitions, or you feel ready for your first conducting job. The Competitions/Auditions Track will arm you with a competitive edge that will increase your chances for success. Study and conduct repertoire you choose while benefiting from coaching and “intelligence” that will help you prepare for the highly competitive conducting competition and job markets.
Prelude Conducting Academy Repertoire
Maestro Gambetta selects the repertoire to include pieces suitable for conductors in each of the four tracks. The list is split into two sections: the first for novices and music educators and the second for those preparing for graduate study, competitions or auditions.
Novices/Music Educators
Barber Adagio for Strings
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Beethoven Symphony No. 1 (Mvts 1 & 4)
Beethoven Symphony No. 2 (Mvts 1, 2 & 4)
Brahms Hungarian Dances 5 & 6
Dvořák Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 Nos. 1, 3 & 8
Dvořák Serenade for Strings (Mvts 1 & 2)
Grieg Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture
Mozart Divertimenti, K. 136 & 138
Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Mozart Le nozze di Figaro Overture
Mozart Symphonies 29 & 35
Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte
Saint-Saëns Danse macabre
Schubert Symphonies 5 and 8
Sibelius Romanze in C
Strauss, J Kaiser-Walzer
Tchaikovsky Marche Slave
Wagner Die Meistersinger Prelude
Graduate/Auditions/Competitions
Beethoven Egmont Overture
Beethoven Leonore Overture No 3
Beethoven Symphonies 5 and 7
Brahms Academic Festival Overture
Brahms Symphonies 1 and 3
Britten Simple Symphony
Debussy La mer
Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Dvořák Symphony No. 9
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4
Mozart Die Zauberflöte Overture
Mozart Symphonies 38, 39 and 40
Schumann Manfred Overture
Strauss, J Die Fledermaus Overture
Strauss, R Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919)
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
Tchaikovsky Symphonies 4 & 6
Tuition and Curriculum
The $1,795 US Prelude Conducting Academy tuition entitles students to 150+ minutes of podium time with professional string quintet and piano including six 20-minute sessions, one 15 to 25-minute general rehearsal and one 8 to 15-minute public performance.
The curriculum also includes 30 minutes of video review with faculty, an audition prep masterclass, score study and musicianship seminars and daily Embodied Conducting℠ instruction. The tuition covers the cost of a semi-private hotel room with breakfast. Private rooms are available for an additional charge.
Scholarships and Discounts
Returning Institute alumni receive a $100 US scholarship. Conductors who combine the Prelude Academy with either the Advanced Conducting Academy or Mastering Concertos receive a $300 US tuition discount for attending two Institute programs. The maximum discount allowed is $400 US.
Cultural Excursion
The Institute offers students a special one-day cultural excursion. The trip includes visits to Ancient Corinth and the famed Ancient Greek Theatre of Epidaurus. Students pay a small fee to cover the cost of transportation and admission to the historical sites.
Prelude Conducting Academy Schedule
Typical Instructional Day
8:00 Breakfast
10:30 Embodied Conducting℠
12:00 Lunch
15:00 Daily Score Q & A
17:00 Conducting Session
20:30 Video Review
21:30 Dinner
Typical Concert Day Schedule
9:30 General Rehearsal Prep
10:30 General Rehearsal
13:00 Lunch
16:00 Video Review
19:30 Concert Prep
21:00 Concert
22:30 Post Concert Gathering
