doodwhatisthisbiz-deactivated20 asked: You of course must know a lot about conducting right, I'm currently in my first year of high school, and I plan on getting a PhD in conducting, so I can hopefully one day conduct the New York Philharmonic. How much work and dedication would it take to get there.
Hi! I am far from an expert, actually. I am a cellist - still just a student - and all I know about conducting is from playing in orchestras, and three weeks or so of Intro to Conducting class at my school.
I can tell you, though, what little I know, so far, about making it in the music world: in answer to your question, it takes more work and dedication than you’d even think you have in you – but as you probably already know, your passion fuels this determination. This is what keeps musicians going in such a hard profession.
Though passion is key, there is way more to building a career. It’s fantastic that you have your specific goals in mind when you are so young - such great goals too! But keep in mind that there will be a lot of climbing ladders and networking, in addition to your formal education in music. In other professions like law and engineering, the college degrees matter much more for getting jobs, but in music, the most importent credentials are experience and connections, not a Masters degree, a DMA, a PhD and three performers’ certificates. Though most conductors have at least one of those degrees, conductors of major orchestras don’t land those jobs straight out of grad school - they work their ways up from the bottom, starting as assistant conductors of lesser-know regional orchestras, or conducting school or youth orchestras. They get bigger and bigger jobs mainly from their interactions with other musicians (like the conductors they work with as assistants, for instance.) Grad school is a great way to make those connections and get that experience. So, by all means, get that Masters or PhD in conducting, but don’t expect to land the NY Phil job straight after graduation. For now, get involved in all the ensembles you can, and talk to your conductors. Ask them everything you want to know about their careers, and form relationships with them that will last beyond high school.
Good luck! And to you and all the musicians reading this, keep on doing what you do. I know how much the intense competition can get us down. Just remember how incredibly blessed we are to be able to pursue this beautiful passion, believe in yourself, and know that you are taking small steps to making the world more beautiful. Get off Tumblr and GO PRACTICE! :D
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