Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consulting Program

The Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consulting Program is one of our most important organizational benefits, and assets.  And, let's face it, all of us, at some point in our career or lifetime, need to be able to talk with someone, confidentially, to answer, assist, or guide us on our path.  Guild Mentors and Consultants act as a confidential resource for member conductors who want to work with experienced mentors/colleagues for advice and guidance in their music careers. Guild Mentors and Consultants are a special group of conductors who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, both on and off the podium, to the Mentoring and Consulting program.  All Guild Mentors and Consultants have worked with professional, academic, or community ensembles throughout the world, and are active performers and educators possessing a wide range of musical and professional expertise. So much of our professional and developmental training is acquired “on the job", and after formal schooling has ended.  Let our Guild Mentors and Consultants guide and assist you in your musical journey. 

Active members of the Conductors Guild are encouraged to complete this form and include as much information as possible regarding your mentor or consultant questions/issues.  The form will be available early next week. Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consulting Comittee Chair, John Koshak, or Vice Chair, Christopher Blair will review all mentor/consultant requests and you will be contacted regarding a mentor or consultant. Below are a range of possible topics for Guild Mentors and Consultants to address, however all topics will be considered: 

Guild Mentors and Consultants are available to Conductors Guild members via phone, letter, or e-mail consultation. The Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consulting Program is an educational service for active Guild members, and should not be seen as a job placement service, nor as a mechanism for specific career advancement.

Potential mentors or consultants may include:

Leonard Atherton

Christopher Blair (Mentoring and Consulting Committee Vice-Chair)
     *acoustics & performing arts facility development

Emily Freeman Brown

Michael Charry
     *conductor training
     *Interdisciplinary concerns (orchestra/opera)
     *musical concerns in a particular score
     *musical scholarship
     *preparing for auditions/interviews
     *rehearsal/baton technique
     *repertoire/programming

JoAnn Falletta

Harvey Felder

     *designing young people's concerts
     *designing ethnically and culturally diverse programs
     *succinct and systematic score study

Grant Gershon
     *choral works

Lawrence Golan
     *conductor training
     *musical concerns in a particular score
     *general career development (professional and academic)
     *psychology of conducting
     *interdisciplinary concerns (chorus/orchestra, opera, ballet, etc.)
     *board of directors issues
     *repertoire
     *ensemble building
     *preparing for an audition/interview

John Koshak (Mentoring/Consulting Committee Chair)
     *conductor training
     *musical concerns on a particular score
     *psychology of conducting
     *repertoire
     *ensemble building
     *preparing for an audition/interview 

Philip Morehead
     *opera conducting
     *working with a major opera company

Harlan Parker

Kate Tamarkin
     *conducting technique
     *taking auditions
     *music director questions
     *career guidance
     *music for chorus and orchestra
     *symphonic literature

Markand Thakar

Harold Weller
     *conducting technique
     *music director questions
     *ensemble building
     *career development
     *psychology of conducting
     *board of director issues
     *building community support

Diane Wittry

Victor Yampolsky

You may also contact us at [email protected] to learn more about the Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consultant Program.

If you are not an active Conductors Guild member, JOIN NOW!