How does conducting music work

There is a reason why certain otherwise ephemeral performances live on in the memory, decade after decade, and it is invariably down to that figure on the podium — the eternal giver of rhythm, doing so much more than just waving their hands in the air…. If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

Counterpoint Classical music. What does a conductor actually do? Share using Email. By Clemency Burton-Hill 31st October Clemency Burton-Hill finds out how conductors translate their visions into glorious sounds.

Be a conduit Concertgoers may have their ears trained on the orchestra, but our eyes are invariably drawn to the podium. Put in the hours Conductors may look like they have an easier ride, not having to master any fiendish passages of finger-work like the violinists, say, or risk the exposure and split notes of the wind and brass players.

Be a figurehead A music director or chief conductor that is, a conductor on a permanent, long-term contract with an orchestra can be responsible for much more than just how a concert turns out.

Immortalise a performance Classical music is unique among musical forms in that the same works, many of which are hundreds of years old, get performed and recorded again and again, often many times each year. If the composer is available, a conductor might consult with him or her about how to represent those notes. And the conductor tells the musicians when the performance is over.

In between, while keeping time with hand gestures, conductors are, effectively, acting as quality control managers. They not only have to quickly redirect a musician who erred, but also anticipate any potential missteps.

A conductor often is required to be an ambassador for the orchestra, connecting it with a particular community and attending fundraisers, as needed, to schmooze donors and potential supporters. The conductor may be counted on to generate interest in certain performances and provide outreach to help grow a local audience. At some point in their careers they were excellent musicians, usually soloists, and many great conductors mastered more than one instrument along the way.

And that makes perfect sense considering they need to have the trust and respect of the entire orchestra. Perhaps you have an interest in becoming a conductor? If so, check out our blog post , which details the career path to becoming a conductor. What difference are they making? Would the orchestra still play without them? And why do they sweat so much? And almost exclusively male.

As long as there are myths around what a conductor actually does, an important part of classical music will seem mysterious to many people. At a basic level conducting is very simple. It keeps an orchestra or a choir in time and together. Most importantly a conductor serves as a messenger for the composer.