International Conductors Guild

Mentoring and Consulting Program

The International Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consulting Program is one of our most important organizational benefits we offer.  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 conductor 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", or after formal schooling has ended.  Let our Guild Mentors and Consultants guide and assist you in your musical journey. 

Active members of the International Conductors Guild are asked to COMPLETE THIS FORM and include as much information as possible regarding your mentor or consultant questions/issues.  Once the Mentor - Consultant form is completed, you must email your Bio or CV, and your Resume to [email protected]

International Conductors Guild Mentoring and Consulting Committee Chair, Dr. Julie Sorensen or Vice Chair Dr. Peter Cokkinias, will review all mentor/consultant requests and you will be contacted regarding a mentor or consultant. Below are a range of possible topics for ICG Mentors and Consultants to address, however all topics will be considered: 

  • conductor training - Guild workshops, graduate schools, who, what, where, and how
  • musical concerns or questions of a particular score or work
  • general career development (professional and academic)
  • psychology of conducting
  • interdisciplinary concerns (chorus/orchestra, opera, ballet, jazz, pops, etc.)
  • women conductor issues
  • board of directors issues
  • administration issues
  • repertoire and program building
  • ensemble building
  • preparing for auditions/interviews 

Please be certain to complete the "Why I need a mentor/consultant" section on the form and provide as much detail as possible as to why you would like, or need, a mentor/consultant.  This is an important area that then allows us to match the perfect mentor/consultant for your situation.

Guild Mentors and Consultants are available to International Conductors Guild members via phone, letter, or email consultation. The ICG 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.

ICG Mentors or Consultants:

Christopher Blair
     *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

Peter Cokkinias

Arthur Fagen

JoAnn Falletta

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

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

John Gingrich

Jerry Hou

John Koshak 
     *conductor training
     *musical concerns on a particular score
     *psychology of conducting
     *repertoire
     *ensemble building
     *preparing for an audition/interview 

Jeffery Meyer

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

Carl Topilow 
   *symphony repertoire
   *Pops repertoire
   *auditions
   *career guidance

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

Diane Wittry

 

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

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