Orchestral Conducting
We offer two postgraduate courses in Orchestral Conducting: a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) and Master of Music (MMus). Regardless of which you follow, you will be offered weekly individual conducting lessons, which will include guided sessions with a pianist experienced in orchestral repertoire.
You will benefit from time on the podium working with our various performing ensembles, which include orchestras, brass band, brass ensemble, symphonic wind orchestra, wind ensemble, a specialist contemporary music ensemble, Baroque orchestra and others.
During your studies, you will work not only with our accomplished staff conductors, but also with a variety of guest conductors.
Guest Conductors
- Stephen Barlow
- Sian Edwards
- Lionel Friend
- Edwin Roxburgh
- Michael Seal, Associate Conductor of the CBSO
- Howard Snell (Brass Band)
We have long-standing and close links with the CBSO, with which we are pleased to be Partners in Orchestral Development, and Symphony Hall and Town Hall are only a few minutes’ walk away, giving you easy access to some of the world’s finest conductors.
To broaden your experience, you will have some joint classes with our Choral Conducting students and, of course, you will be able to collaborate with a huge range of advanced performers and composers studying at the Conservatoire.
Since graduating from RBC in 2020, I've started a career as a freelance orchestra conductor, conducting groups such as the Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra, Leamington Sinfonia, Midland Concert Orchestra, and the Coventry and Warwickshire Youth Orchestra. The Orchestral Conducting Course at RBC undoubtedly prepared me for the busy and varied life a conductor has. Assisting and learning on anything from operas to symphonic projects was invaluable in improving my conducting technique and repertoire knowledge. RBC is constantly focused on the employability of its students after graduating; the real-world skills I learnt at the Conservatoire have been essential in helping me secure conducting jobs, and in helping me create my early career path.
Joe Davies, Orchestral Conducting Graduate