Conductor Mentoring

This program is intended to provide conductors of varying levels with the opportunity to consult with experienced colleagues who will serve as a confidential resource for advice and guidance concerning the craft of conducting, and career-related issues. Our roster of participating mentors is comprised of veteran conductors who have a wealth of experience, on and off the podium. They are active performers and educators who possess a wide range of musical and professional expertise.

Mentoring topics include, but are not necessarily limited to:

conductor training
musical concerns in a particular score
general career development (professional and academic)
psychology of conducting
issues with boards of directors or management
repertoire and programming
preparing for an audition or interview
rehearsing effectively
general questions about being a music director

Requirements & Guidelines

Open to all levels of conducting experience.
Participant must have access to conduct an ensemble.
No application or program fees.
Membership in ICO is not needed to apply.
There is no fee to participate if selected but we do ask that all mentees become an ICO member at the individual level ($50/annually) or for their band/orchestra to become a member ($50-$200 annual membership depending budget size) if they aren't members already.
Application deadline: rolling application process

Mentor Session Options

Mentees will have the option to choose one or a combination of coaching sessions:

In-person interactive coaching with conductor and ensemble or post-rehearsal one-on-one session.
2-3 zoom sessions in which conducting videos are reviewed and discussed
Independent review of conducting video; with feedback, questions, correspondence happening primarily over e-mail