Melbourne Youth Music and Guest Artistic Director Andrew Mott invite 15 to 30 year olds to attend our Conductor Development Program as part of the MYM 2012 Summer School at the Victorian College of the Arts Southbank, January 16 – 20.  The program is ideal for aspiring young conductors or graduate teachers who would like to gain further proficiency in conducting a range of ensemble styles and levels.  The program is primarily based in practical experiences, working with facilitator Dobbs Franks.

CONDUCTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Conductor Development Program will offer aspiring conductors and music educators an invaluable experience, enhancing their conducting technique across a range of musical genres.  During the course of the week, activities will include visits to the various ensembles of the MYM Summer School, meeting the program directors as well as observing and directing wind, jazz and string ensembles at all levels.  Each participant receives significant amounts of podium time working with a dedicated chamber orchestra on substantial repertoire, mentoring sessions to develop essential conducting technique as well as skills development in score preparation, teaching and rehearsal skill.  Admission to the Conductor Development Program is by application only, for ages 15 – 30.  Participants may also be contacted by email requesting a reference from their school / music teacher stating the applicant’s musical skills and previous conducting experience.  Participants should have the ability to read orchestral scores and a basic understanding of conducting patterns.

DOBBS FRANKS
Dobbs Franks is equally at home conducting symphony, opera, ballet, music theatre or chamber ensembles.  His career spans more than 50 years.  His Australian sojourn includes the Australian premiere of West Side Story (1960), Porgy and Bess (1965) and World Premiere of Richard Meale’s Mer de Glace (1991).  He has been Music Director of the Australian Ballet, Tasmanian Symphony, West Australian Ballet, and Conductor of the Australian Opera, Guest Conductor of all of the Australian and New Zealand symphony orchestras and Head of Music of the Australian Opera Studio.  He has frequently been on television and radio in a variety of roles.  In addition to his many activities in Australia he has performed in 49 of the 50 states of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Scotland, England, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, Korea, China, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and New Zealand.  His latest recording is a DVD of Verdi’s Nabucco which he performed and recorded in Tokyo, Japan in September, 2010.

Program Fee             $435
Program Structure       30 Hours

REHEARSALS
9:30am – 3:30pm         Monday 16 – Friday 20 January

APPLICATIONS
Visit www.mym.org.au and follow the links to Summer School to complete the online registration form.  Applications close 09 September, and placed are limited to ensure maximum contact with ensembles and facilitators.

ENQUIRIES
(03) 9376 8988
mym@mym.org.au