Acquiring the Art of Conducting: Deliberate Practice as Part of Professional Learning. Issue 3 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Simon; Längler, Manuel; Altenbuchner, Amelie; Kobl, Louisa; Gruber, Hans
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced academics. Volume 32:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 354
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: conducting -- conservatory -- deliberate practice -- expertise -- professional learning -- talent development -- university of music; Academic achievement -- Periodicals; Gifted children -- Education (Secondary) -- United States -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 371.95
• DOI: 10.1177/1932202X21995931
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-202X

Abstract

Research was and still is involved in the controversial issue about innate talent or extensive practice as the determinants of excellent performance in a range of domains. This study aims to contribute by presenting an analysis of practice activities in a domain that appears to be particularly suitable—orchestral conducting. Most conductors usually attain expertise in instrument playing prior to commencing conducting studies. Twenty-seven students of German study programs of orchestral conducting (approximately 18.7% of the population) responded to a questionnaire about their practice activities in conducting programs and their instrumental experiences. Descriptive results show the wealth of prestudy experiences conducting students have. A clear influence on practice activities cannot be stated. During study, students rated conducting-specific practice activities as more demanding and devoted more time to them than to general music practice activities. Therefore, conducting-specific practice activities might have been practiced more deliberately than general music practice activities.