2012 Choral Conductors Workshop
with Dr. Jerry Blackstone
Professor and Chair of Conducting, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Workshop: Sunday, June 24 through Thursday, June 28, 2012
Final Concert: Thursday June 28 at 7 pm
Miller Chapel
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, NJ
Application deadline: March 1, 2012
Application decisions for conductor applicants will be emailed on March 2nd.
Workshop Fees
| Conductors | $450 |
| Conducting Auditors   | $300 |
| Singers | $200 |
Application Procedure
» Step 1: Submit online application form
» Step 2: Pay $30 Application Fee Online (not included in the workshop fee)
This 5-day professional conducting workshop will offer practical rehearsal strategies, choral warm-up ideas, and sessions on performance issues, score study and preparation, creating compelling performances, and readings of new and recently published choral literature for choirs of all levels. Conductors and auditors will participate in daily conducting masterclasses with Dr. Blackstone and each conductor will conduct the Festival chorus twice daily. The workshop will culminate in a public performance led by the participant conductors.
Enrollment is limited to 8 conductors, with no limit for auditors or singers.
- Enhance practical conducting skills during daily master classes.
- Daily instruction on a variety of topics related to choral conducting.
- Daily reading sessions from a packet of octavos selected by Dr. Blackstone. Music for reading sessions is included in workshop fee.
- Conduct the Festival chorus twice daily.
- Conduct the Festival chorus in performance at the end of the workshop.
- Have fun making great music, make new friends.
Maestro Jerry Blackstone, Clinician & Conductor
GRAMMY® Award winning conductor Jerry Blackstone is considered one of the country's leading conducting teachers. He is currently the Director of Choirs and Chair of the Conducting Department at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance where he conducts the Chamber Choir, teaches conducting at the graduate level, and administers a choral program of eleven choirs. Dr. Blackstone has appeared as festival guest conductor and workshop presenter in thirty states as well as New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Dr. Blackstone holds degrees from the University of Southern California, Indiana University, and Wheaton College. We are pleased to have Dr. Blackstone as the clinician for our 2012 choral conducting workshop.
Daily Schedule
- 9:00am-10:30am
Session with Dr. Blackstone for Conductors and Auditors on score study/ warm-ups/ developing a compelling performance/rehearsal strategy/reading session - 10:30am-Noon
Conducting Master Class - Noon-2:30pm
Lunch Break/Study Time - 2:30pm-5:00pm
Rehearsal with Festival Choir - 5:00pm-6:30pm
Dinner Break - 6:30pm-8:30pm
Rehearsal with Festival Choir
Professional Development Continuing Education Credits
If requested, the Princeton Festival will provide a workshop participant with a completed Professional Development Documentation form as required by the State of New Jersey Department of Education. Please note that it is the responsibility of school districts, schools or individuals to determine the suitability of the Princeton Festival Choral Conducting Workshop as appropriate continuing education for the participant.
Housing & Meals
Out of town participants can arrange for housing at the Princeton Theological Seminary through The Festival. The Seminary provides dormitory style single rooms for $45 per night. An optional meal plan is available Mon - Friday for $15.65 per day (breakfast & lunch only). Rehearsals and performance are on the campus of the Princeton Theological Seminary.
Some alternative housing options in and around Princeton are provided below. If you choose one of these options, you will be responsible for making your booking directly with the hotel.
» The Nassau Inn
10 Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ 08542
(800) 992-2695
» Doubletree Hotel Princeton
4355 US Route 1 South, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 452-2494
» Hyatt Place Princeton
3565 US Route 1 South, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 720-0200
» Residence Inn Princeton at Carnegie Center
3563 US Route 1 South, Princeton, NJ 08691
(609) 799-0550
» Clarion Hotel Palmer Inn
3499 US Route 1 South, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 452-2500
» Red Roof Inn - Princeton
3203 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(800) 733-7663 or (609) 896-3388
