The Conductors Course

Directed by Laszlo Marosi

Saturday 9th – Saturday 16th August

Following the huge success of the 2007 conductors course we are pleased to announce the return of Dr. Laszlo Marosi from the University of Central Florida to direct this course.

Whether you are a professional conductor, keen amateur, teacher who is required to direct ensembles, or a musician developing new skills then this course will be beneficial to you.

Every aspect of conducting will be carefully explored.  This course will develop your conducting techniques, score preparation, rehearsal skills and repertoire knowledge.  Group discussions will be aided by a comprehensive score library and the use of a video recorder to analyse conducting techniques.

Who will I be conducting?

You will be conducting both the intermediate and the advanced Symphonic Wind Bands. You will also have the opportunity to conduct chamber music ensembles. Advanced conductors will be invited to conduct the Symphonic Wind Band in the concert on Friday 15th August (this will be at the discretion of Music for You Summer Schools and Laszlo Marosi).

Repertoire

A wind band will form the main ensemble with the opportunities to conduct chamber groups throughout the week. The repertoire list has been carefully selected by Laszlo Marosi and Guy Woolfenden to develop conducting techniques and will be adapted to suit the student’s specific interests where possible. Each conductor will be asked to bring a piece of music of his or her own choice.  This will allow the tutors to make an assessment of your requirements and have an individual developmental programme for each student.The repertoire list for the 2008 Conducting course can be seen below. You are asked to choose one of the chamber works and one or two works from the wind band list. Scores must be purchased before arriving on the course as we only hold a limited supply.

Conductor’s Repertoire List 2008

Chamber Music

  1. Petit Symphonie in B flat for Winds                  Charles Gounod (1987 Leipzig Edition)
  2. Serenade No.3 in C                                         Josef Haydn (Ariel Music)

Wind Band Works

  1. Winter Dances                                                Fergal Carroll (Maecenas)
  2. Gallimaufry                                                      Guy Woolfenden (Ariel Music)
  3. Overture for Wind Op. 24                               Felix Mendelssohn (Shirmer)
  4. Suite Francaise                                               Darius Milhaud (Boosey & Hawkes)
  5. Suite for Band                                                  Frigyes Hidas (Stormworks Europe)

Do I need to bring my instrument?

Conductors are required to bring their principal instrument and play in rehearsals where appropriate.  If you play more than one instrument then please bring all instruments to the course.

Concert

There will be a concert on Thursday evening at Bicton College for family and friends.  Conductors will be selected from the week’s course to perform a varied and entertaining programme.  Some students will be asked to conduct whilst others may observe.  Please be understanding that it will be impossible for all students to take part in the final concert and this is not a reflection on your conducting standard but a mere practical decision due to the length of the concert.

Number of Conducting Students

There will be a limited number of places for this year’s course.  A maximum number of 20 will be taken in 2008.  Bookings will be taken on a first come first serve basis.

Observers and Musicians

If you wish to listen and observe the course tutor and students but do not want to take an active part, then you may.  Much can be gained from studying the scores, listening to the tutor and partaking students. If you wish to play on the conductor’s course as an instrumentalist, then this is also possible.  Course fees will be the same price as the Symphonic Wind Band Course.

A welcome meeting will begin at 7.30pm on Saturday 9th August and rehearsals will commence at 9.30am on Sunday 10th August. A detailed schedule will be given on arrival at the course.

Laszlo Marosi

Laszlo Marosi was born in Sarvar, Hungary.  His musical education began at the age of five, and continued at the Music Gymnasium, where he majored on both piano and trombone.  He studied conducting at the Liszt Academy of Music with Tamas Breitner, the director of the Pecs Opera.  From 1982 to 1997 Marosi worked as the conductor of the Hungarian Central Army Orchestra.  During this period he recorded a number of works by Liszt and several contemporary Hungarian composers.  He also conducted his ensemble for radio and television productions and toured with the group throughout Europe.  His book, “The History of the Military Music in Hungary from 1741-1945” was published in 1994.

For twelve years he taught conducting at the Liszt Teacher Training College, Budapest.  In 1993, he was asked to serve as conductor and artistic director of the professional Budapest Symphonic Band, in addition to his responsibilities as the conductor of the Lizst Academy Wind Orchestra.  These ensembles produced several commercial CD recordings for leading European companies, including Hungaroton.

Following his professional career in Hungary, he matriculated to Florida State University, where he earned an M.M. in conducting and a Ph.D. in Music Education with James Croft and Philip Spurgeon.  He frequently conducted the University Symphony Orchestra, including acclaimed performances of the music of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Shulamit Ran.  As visiting Professor, Dr. Marosi served as Associate Conductor of the FSU Wind Orchestra during the 2002-03 academic year.

At University of Central Florida, Dr. Marosi teaches conducting classes, as well as conducting the University Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra.