05/10/2020
On Friday, May 15, 2020, we will release the third in our series of Choral Education books. Conducting Primer: Seven Principles of Choral Conducting explores 7 principles that will lead the conductor to a deeper understanding of the composition to be conducted, and to the gestural techniques required to realize the expressive nature of the music.
Here is what famed musician Dr. Anton Armstrong said after reading the book:
“Conducting Primer: Seven Principles of Choral Conducting is a fresh and creative resource not only for the novice conductor, but indeed for the veteran practitioner. Donald Brinegar and his contributing writers provide innovative insights, based on a revelatory set of Seven Principles rooted in the proper selection of literature leading to a more holistic process of score study. This systematic and sequential approach to score study results in greater importance placed onto the auditory perception of the score which results in a greater internalization of the score prior to the implementation of the conducting gesture. What is distinctive in this monograph is the fresh and unique attention focused on the physical gesture. Rather than imposing metrical conducting patterns on a composition, Brinegar and his colleagues advocate that the musical gesture must come from an internal understanding of the work based on practical analysis of musical form and text. Furthermore, the literature selected to reveal these Seven Principles is drawn from a wide time span of the Western choral canon from the 12th -21st century including several works by women composers. Donald Brinegar has designed a fresh paradigm for us to seriously consider in the training and renewal of the art of conducting!”
Anton E. Armstrong, DMA
Conductor, The St. Olaf Choir
Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Conducting Primer will be available on Amazon,com. For multiple copies, PM the author Donal Brinegar at [email protected]. Special discounts are available.
