15-16 November, 2024
Mumbai, India

An introduction to conducting sessions

This will be similar to the first two days of the Budapest “Unlocking the Secrets of Session Recordings” course. Using cues from classics like Star Wars, Back to the Future and Psycho, it focuses on how better conducting technique can improve results from orchestral sessions, whether participants eventually end up conducting music themselves or just producing sessions on remote. A key difference will be that students will not be under the same pressure to master everything being taught.

Day 1

Students will go over the basics of baton and conducting techniques, body movement and mechanics, in ways they are unlikely to have experienced before. For example, they will be taught a variety of ways to beat patterns 1 to 12, giving them greater flexibility and nuance in how to create their musical objectives.

Day 2

Here, the more musical elements of conducting will be explored such as:

  • How best to create weight, accents and light textures

  • Learning to cue more effectively

  • Tips to better conduct different groups at the same time – for example, a string section doing staccato notes while the brass delivers a weighty chorale

  • There will be a particular focus on learning to use one’s body, instead of just words and hands, to tell an orchestra what is required.

  • Suggestions for how best to “read” the orchestra and motivate the musicians for peak performance will also be shared, along with how best to rehearse them.

Two levels of participation

Tier 1: 6 to 8 students

₹ 18,000 (INR) +18% GST

Participants in this group will each take turns conducting the two pianists, and receive feedback from Daryl on their technique.

Tier 1 students must have a working knowledge of orchestration, notation, and experience of playing at least one instrument to a high level.

Tier 2: 20 to 30 students

₹ 7,000 (INR) + 18% GST

Tier 2 observers will benefit from hearing Daryl’s insights into how to conduct and run orchestral sessions to optimize results.

They’ll also be welcome to practise from their seats. However, they will not get personal input from Daryl on their efforts.

With the benefit of this experience, Tier 1 students may then wish to consider applying for CFF’s Budapest course. Whilst the material covered there will be similar, having done this course they will have an excellent base from which to improve further. Indeed, current participants on the Budapest course have expressed interest in doing it again.

And, if the Music and Image Society (MIS) and CFF repeat this course in the future, Tier 2 students will be welcome to apply for Tier 1 spots.

To apply for the course, you must email Tanuj Tiku via classitronic@gmail.com indicating which Tier you would like to apply for, and provide the following information:

• Name

• Email and phone number

• Summary of musical education and conducting experience (if any)

• Other relevant information

Please DO NOT apply via this CFF website. CFF Mumbai is being organized by MIS (with payments being facilitated via Tanuj’s company, Classitronic).

• Any applications received via this CFF website will be considered only for the 2025 Budapest course.

• Applying via CFF will lead to a delay for those interested in, or most suitable for, November’s event, as these will be directed back to Tanuj for review, by which time the Tier they are interested in might have sold out.

Course timings for accepted applicants will be:

  • Day 1: 2PM - 9PM

  • Day 2: 11AM - 6PM

Location

Music-1, YRF studios, Audio Wing, (Yash Raj Films)

5, Shah Industrial Estate, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053

Day 1 - 2PM-9PM
Day 2 - 11AM-6PM