In the conducting studio at the Lamont School of Music, students explore the complexities of conducting Western art music with the help of student-led ensembles and our world-class music faculty. Delving into choral, orchestral, and wind ensemble styles, students gain practical experience leading performers while learning to manage the non-musical responsibilities common to conducting roles. No matter which degree program you choose, you will receive a great deal of podium time with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, Lamont Wind Ensemble, or one of our choirs.

Lamont's orchestral conducting program is led by Lawrence Golan, who currently serves as music director of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Denver Philharmonic, and York Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Joseph Martin, whose performance experience in brass instruments ranges from Denver Brass to the Aries Brass Quartet and beyond, directs wind ensemble studies. Catherine Sailer chairs the choral conducting program, bringing years of experience and accolades as a conductor with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra and other prestigious ensembles.

Audition and Application Requirements

Preliminary Round

Orchestral 

By December 15, 2023, in addition to the general DU and Lamont graduate application requirements (which include additional language requirements for international students), applicants must satisfy these requirements:

  1. Upload 3-6 videos of the applicant conducting (no specific repertoire requirements; concert footage preferred, but rehearsal footage acceptable).
  2. Provide a résumé detailing previous conducting experiences.
  3. Provide a written statement of the candidate's availability and preferences regarding the two final round audition dates listed below.
  4. Optional: Include letters of recommendation from those who have seen the applicant conduct.

Choral

In addition to the general DU and Lamont graduate application requirements (which include additional language requirements for international students), applicants must provide a résumé detailing previous conducting experiences. There is no preliminary video round.

Wind

In addition to the general DU and Lamont graduate application requirements (which include additional language requirements for international students), applicants must provide a résumé detailing previous conducting experiences. There is no preliminary video round.

Final Round

If accepted into the final round, applicants will:

Orchestral

  1. Complete an in-person conducting audition with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra either conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 4, Mvt. I on January 29, 2024 OR conducting Liszt's Hunnenschlacht (Battle of the Huns) on February 26, 2024. The orchestra will be playing from the Kalmus Edition for the Mahler, though it is acceptable for conductors to use another score such as the critical edition from Universal or Breitkopf. The preferred edition for the Lizst is Luck’s.
  2. Interview with Lawrence Golan (on the day of the audition between 9:30 am and 10:30 am).
  3. Take a written test* to determine the candidate's knowledge of the orchestra (on the day of the audition).

Note: Professor Golan will be leading the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra’s International Conducting Workshop, Concert & Competition from February 19 through 24. Applicants for the LSO Orchestral Conducting are encouraged to apply for that opportunity as well. Further information may be found at denverphilharmonic.org.

Choral

  1. Complete an in-person conducting audition with the Lamont Chorale on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Candidates may obtain a list of the repertoire by emailing Dr. Sailer at Catherine.Sailer@du.edu. You may choose two pieces from the list to perform.
  2. Take a written test on the day of the audition to determine the candidate's knowledge of choral literature and score analysis skills. 

Wind

  1. Complete an in-person conducting audition with the Lamont Wind Ensemble. The date will be determined in consultation with Dr. Joseph Martin and per the candidate's availability. 
  2. Submit three letters of recommendation from those who have seen the applicant conduct.
  • *Additional information about orchestral conducting test

    In preparation for this test, the candidate should become intimately familiar with Norman Del Mar's book "The Anatomy of the Orchestra." Hint: Del Mar's writing style is such that he likes to state a basic principle, and then spend pages discussing the rare exceptions to that principle. The test will include questions about the basic principles, not the rare exceptions.

Faculty

 
Catherine Sailer

Catherine Sailer

Professor, Choral Conducting

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Joseph Martin holding a trombone

Joseph Martin

Associate Professor, Wind Conducting

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Lawrence Golan

Lawrence Golan

Professor, Orchestral Conducting

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M. Roger Holland, II

M. Roger Holland, II

Teaching Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology & Director, The Spirituals Project

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Kevin T. Padworski

Kevin Padworski

Adjunct Faculty, Choral Studies

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Jeff Talley

Jeff Talley

Adjunct Faculty, Choral Studies

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  • Catherine Sailer

    Catherine Sailer.

  • Lawrence Golan

    Lawrence Golan.

  • Joseph Martin

    Joseph Martin.

  • conducting student
  • conducting student
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