1. The Choral Conductor and the Ensemble
Creating the Psychological Bridge
Tim Sharp, Executive Director
American Choral Directors Association

2. Do you think that emotional self-control is important for a conductor?

3. Do you think that emotional self-control is important for a conductor?
76% yes
15% rather

4. Assuming excellent musicianship, what are the three most important characteristics for a conductor to possess?

5. Assuming excellent musicianship, what are the three most important characteristics for a conductor to possess?
Enthusiasm 26%
Confidence 21%
Authority 17%
Efficiency 17%
Organization 14%
Persuasiveness 5%

6. If the conductor has excellent musicianship but not the three characteristics identified above, how eager are you to work with him/her?

7. If the conductor has excellent musicianship but not the three characteristics identified above, how eager are you to work with him/her?
Very and Somewhat 2% and 47% = 49%
Little and Not at All 37% and 14% = 51%

8. What kind of conductor do you most like working with?

9. What kind of conductor do you most like working with?
Encouraging 31%
Friendly 21%
Intense 20%
Relaxed 15%
Talkative 6%
Quiet 6%
Reserved 0%

10. How should a conductor react to mistakes by an ensemble?

11. How should a conductor react to mistakes by an ensemble?
78% Point out mistakes and repeat the passage until fixed.
13% Point out mistakes and move on to next passage.
9% Repeat the passage and then go on.

12. How should a conductor react to their own mistakes?

13. How should a conductor react to their own mistakes?
Admit them and try to improve 77%
Admit them and apologize 22%

14. What will you do if you don’t like this conductor?

15. What will you do if you don’t like this conductor?
37% Doesn’t matter, just focus on the music.
31% Criticize the conductor privately, but not in rehearsal.
16% Be indifferent.
11% Quit.

16. If the rehearsal is not going smoothly and the conductor loses his/her temper, what sort of emotional response will you accept?

17. If the rehearsal is not going smoothly and the conductor loses his/her temper, what sort of emotional response will you accept?
24% The conductor gives a long speech.
22% The conductor shows an angry face.
14% The conductor expresses frustration with a sign.
11% Loud yelling.
(Walks out 6%, Speaks sarcastically 6%, Weeps 2%, Throws music in anger 1%)

18. Do you have a different attitude toward an assistant conductor from the actual conductor?

19. Do you have a different attitude toward an assistant conductor from the actual conductor?
Yes %
Somewhat 37%
No %

20. How long does it take you to acclimatize to a new conductor?

21. How long does it take you to acclimatize to a new conductor?
Within a month 72%
1-2 months 19%

22. What kind of conductor will you never trust?

23. What kind of conductor will you never trust?
40% One who changes mind constantly
30% One who is poorly organized
24% One who shows no emotional self-control

24. Do you think a conductor will compromise professionalism if they acknowledge their mistakes?

25. Do you think a conductor will compromise professionalism if they acknowledge their mistakes?
Yes 5%
Somewhat 5%

26. Do you think conductor and performers should have a personal friendship?

27. Do you think conductor and performers should have a personal friendship?
No 47%
May be necessary 33%
Very necessary 13%
Somewhat 7%

28. Do you think a personal friendship between the conductor and ensemble members will effect the rehearsal?

29. Do you think a personal friendship between the conductor and ensemble members will effect the rehearsal?
Yes 43%
Somewhat 35%
No 22%

30. If it effects the rehearsal, how does it effect the rehearsal?

31. If it effects the rehearsal, how does it effect the rehearsal?
Positively 38%
Negatively 16%
Not sure 46%

32. What do you think a conductor should do if there is poor interaction between them and the ensemble?

33. What do you think a conductor should do if there is poor interaction between them and the ensemble?
71% Communicate openly with ensemble.
27% Keep patient and try to do a good job.

34. What is the ideal emotional condition for a conductor while performing?

35. What is the ideal emotional condition for a conductor while performing?
53% 50% calm and 50% emotional involvement
22% 20% calm and 80% emotional involvement
16% 80% calm and 20% emotional involvement

36. Who should take the responsibility if the performance fails?

37. Who should take the responsibility if the performance fails?
67% The ensemble and the conductor.
24% Do not assign responsibility.
9% The conductor.
0% The ensemble.

38. In order of important traits for a conductor,

39. In order of important traits for a conductor,
Leader 46%
Teacher 43%
Friend 11%

40. What is the motivation that makes you want to join an ensemble?

41. What is the motivation that makes you want to join an ensemble?
The Music 50%
Working with other players 24%
Doesn’t matter 1%
The Conductor 25%