Conducting ourselves on the podium

There is an unfortunate stereotype among the public of the arrogant, diva-like ensemble conductor who stands in the front of the musicians and flaps about dramatically. Red-faced and unyielding, this person is the embodiment of the music and commands the instrumentalists to the last thrilling second. The conductor is heralded as the leader of the ensemble-entirely responsible for each performance-and receives thunderous applause simply for entering the stage at the start of the concert. However, there is much more to ensemble conducting than wearing tuxedos in concerts and dramatically imposing one's will on a stage full of musicians. Large ensemble conductors within universities serve a unique social function in which they must simultaneously occupy the spaces of educator, professional performer, and social role model. The conductor is the leader of the musical ensemble(s) but also typically functions as a social representative for the school of music and at times for the university as a whole. In addition, university ensembles are unique to all other levels of music-making since the student body is comprised entirely of adults who are participating in a credit-bearing course as a portion of their professional degree.