Program Overview

University Program: Direction d'Orchestre

The Direction d'Orchestre program at the Université de Montréal's Faculté de musique is a unique and enriching experience for students from around the world. This program is only offered at the graduate level and requires a strong foundation in instrumental mastery, musical knowledge, and experience.

Encadrement Enrichissant

The program boasts an exceptional faculty, including Paolo Bellomia and Jean-François Rivest, who bring distinct approaches and a wealth of experience to the table. These renowned pedagogues work collaboratively to help students surpass themselves, develop their musical thought, and cultivate a distinctive conducting personality.

Studio de Direction

The studio de direction is structured around several key areas:

• Lapprofondissement des outils de direction (in-depth study of conducting tools)
• Lapprofondissement de la technique de la direction (in-depth study of conducting technique)
• Létude de la partition (score study)
• La mise en application de ces acquis au sein dateliers de direction pratiques (practical conducting workshops)
• Outils de direction (conducting tools)

Outils de Direction

The "Outils de direction" course, taught by Paolo Bellomia, focuses on developing the following skills:

• Développement maximal de loreille (maximal development of the ear): error detection using a digital system
• Lecture au piano de chorals de Bach dans les quatre clés (piano reading of Bach chorales in all four keys)
• Réduction de diverses partitions dorchestre au piano (reducing various orchestral scores to piano)
• Étude des diverses transpositions, par la maîtrise des clés (study of transpositions through key mastery)
• Lecture des rythmiques irréguličres (reading irregular rhythms)

Technique de Direction

The technique de direction is explored in depth through individual or small group tutoring, covering:

• Travail sur lindépendance des deux mains et maîtrise des différentes géométrisations des gestes (work on hand independence and mastery of gesture geometries)
• Conscientisation et visualisation des diverses articulations des mains, des avant-bras et des bras, de męme que des dimensions du geste (awareness and visualization of hand, forearm, and arm articulations, as well as gesture dimensions)
• Étude des zones physiques (study of physical zones)

Étude de la Partition

Score study is also a critical component, involving:

• Annotation appropriée et personnelle de la partition (personalized score annotation)
• Analyse avancée (advanced analysis)

Atelier de Direction

Students participate in a weekly conducting workshop, accompanied by two pianists simulating the orchestra. This masterclass setting allows young conductors to practice and experiment with their peers and professors, covering a wide repertoire from Baroque to contemporary music.

Perspectives de Carričre

The Direction d'Orchestre program has a strong track record of placing graduates in prominent conducting positions or as assistants with established orchestras, both nationally and internationally.

Responsable de Programme

Paolo Bellomia is the program director and instructor.

Programmes dÉtudes Liés

Related programs of study include the Doctorat en musique, option Direction d'orchestre (Ph.D. in Music, Conducting option).