Chamber Music Festival offering conducting workshops

Sundays, January 19 & 26, February 2 & 9, 7 p.m., Orcas Island Public Library

— from Linda Slone for Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival —

Over the course of four Sunday evening interactive video sessions, well-known Seattle-area conductor Adam Stern will teach the rudiments of conducting and share his own experiences as a conductor, imparting information from the purely technical to the highly personal and anecdotal, which will provide a broad understanding of one of music’s most elusive and misunderstood facets. Particular attention will be paid to the dangers and delights of interpretation – how to come as close to a composer’s wishes as possible without abusing the power of the podium.

Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions at the conclusion of each session, whether about composers and conductors, the physical actions that everyone sees, or the very private communing with scores that is at the heart of the conductor’s art. Be warned: Stern’s no-holds-barred approach to his subject may just make you think twice about certain conductors from here on in.

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival presents these four Zoom interactive video workshops on a large screen at Orcas Island Public Library at 7 p.m. on four Sundays, January 19 and 26 and February 2 and 9. All who are interested in gaining insights into the art of conducting are welcome to attend, from conductors of instrumental and choral groups, to musicians who want to learn more about this aspect of performing, to music lovers and appreciators. People who would like to participate but won’t be on Orcas for the workshops can join remotely via the internet.

Through a generous grant from the Gould Family Foundation, these live video sessions are free. To preregister for any or all of the four Conducting Workshop sessions, or to learn how to participate remotely, contact Tracy at Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival at tracy@oicmf.org or by phone at 360-376-6636.