In Pursuit of Great Conducting

Raising the Standard of Musical Expressiveness

Written by the legendary Director of Bands at the University of Michigan, H. Robert Reynolds, In Pursuit of Great Conducting focuses heavily on the philosophical, aesthetic, and artistic responsibilities of a conductor. Rather than focusing solely on basic manual beat-patterns, Reynolds encourages conductors to search for the deeper emotional truths within a musical score.

Core Pedagogical Themes

• Artistic Intent Over Mechanical Accuracy: Reynolds argues that while technical competence is essential, a great conductor must transcend basic time-keeping and communicate the profound emotional essence of the composer’s score.
• Deep Score Study as a Moral Obligation: Explains how to live with a score, researching the historical context, harmonic architecture, and composer’s life to uncover musical secrets that cannot be represented by printed ink alone.
• Rehearsal Psychology and Leadership: Advice on creating an atmosphere of collaborative music-making, where performers are respected and inspired to bring their own artistic passion to the ensemble.
• The Integrity of the Conductor: Stresses the importance of humility, continuous personal and artistic growth, and a lifelong dedication to musical excellence.