Oh, And They Need To Know How The Music Goes, Too

What makes a great conductor? Musicianship plays a role, certainly, as does effective stick technique. But most musicians will tell you that they form their first (and often their last) impressions of a new conductor inside of a minute, so there’s clearly something else in the mix. “The greatest conductors have an energy that extends beyond the podium to engage the farthest chorister and the last viola player,” and the very best manage to be firmly in charge without ever betraying a shred of personal ego.