International Conductors Guild

Mentorship Program

The International Conductors Guild Mentorship 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 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 are a special group of conductors who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, both on and off the podium, to the Mentorship program. 

All Guild Mentors 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 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 questions/issues.  Once the Mentor form is completed, you must email your Bio and either your CV or Resume to [email protected].

International Conductors Guild Mentoring Committee Chair, Professor Larry Isaacson, and Co-Chair, Mr. Peter Stafford Wilson, will review all mentorship requests and you will be contacted regarding a mentor. Below are a range of possible topics for ICG Mentors to address, however all topics will be considered: 

  • conductor training - Guild workshops, graduate schools, who, what, where, and how,
  • musical scholarship - concerns or questions of a particular score or work
  • professional and academic career development -early, mid - , late
  • orchestra, opera, ballet, chorus, wind ensemble, jazz, pops, etc.
  • interdisciplinary concerns - see above,
  • women conductor topics
  • board of directors issues
  • administration issues - budgeting, personnel, staff, etc.
  • DEI concerns
  • building community support
  • repertoire and program building
  • diverse programming
  • fundraising
  • ensemble building
  • preparing for auditions/interviews 
  • acoustics
  • youth orchestras
  • community orchestras
  • education concerts
  • technique - baton, rehearsal, etc.
  • musician conflict resolution
  • management

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

Guild Mentors are available to International Conductors Guild members via phone, letter, or email conversation. The ICG Mentorship Program is an educational service and membership benefit for active Guild members, and should not be seen as a job placement service, nor as a mechanism for specific career advancement.

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