Kurs für Instrumentaldirigieren
Diese Kurse sind einzigartig; Analyse, Kommunikationsfähigkeit und Körpereinsatz bilden die Grundlage unseres Studiums. Wir können Ihnen helfen, durch Klarheit und Beobachtung besser zu werden!
Course 80
&
Course 81
2025
Peter Stark’s unique courses focus on the individual, with an emphasis on observing and discussing skills and difficulties. The class is small, with a maximum of only ten students. Communication, body use (with emphasis on Alexander Technique) and baton skills are investigated in great depth. Discussion sessions are analytical and critical but given within a supportive environment. Every member of the course should go away with a clear idea of how he/she comes across, and how to proceed towards further development in their own surroundings.
Baton technique is discussed in detail but as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. The communication of body language, rehearsal technique and physical awareness is also investigated, the latter under the watchful eye of Rachel Erdos, our ‘resident’ Alexander Technique teacher. The technique is viewed as a way of communicating advanced musical ideas – phrasing, balance, architecture etc. – and as a language by which one communicates concepts and thoughts. Much is made of how silence can be used to create effect and message. This radical approach is the heart of our work; conducting is essentially a silent activity, but one that always practises with sound. Strip away the noise and the conductor’s ability to communicate becomes clear.
Courses are aimed at anyone from students to professionals. They cater for those who have purpose and vision, rather than conducting experience. As there is no music to work with we can preserve the privacy that is necessary to foster in-depth criticism. Peter Stark’s wealth of experience provides a background where each and every participant cannot fail to learn and improve.
Most teachers pass their knowledge on to the next generation; Peter’s reason for teaching is to feed his own learning.
Course dates for 2025:
Course 80: 7 - 10 July 2025
This is the ‘original’ Silent Conducting course, aimed at those who want an in depth study of the art of conducting, including technique, score learning, physiology and psychology
Participants: up to eight conductors
Staff: Peter Stark and a dedicated body-use coach
Repertoire:
Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 A major Op. 90 "Italian"
This four-day intensive course offers a unique opportunity to explore Peter Stark’s pioneering Silent Conducting approach – a method designed to refine your clarity, presence, and leadership on the podium without relying on sound.
The Course Content:
- Individual silent conducting sessions
- PrivateAlexander Lesson with our residential expert teacher Rachel Erdos
- Score learning and preparation
- Baton Technique
- Bach Choral Conducting/Rehearsing group
Sight singing exercises
- Group Alexander Session
- Leadership session
Accomodation & Meals
- Lunch & 2 evening meals and tea breaks are provided.
Please note: we do not provide indoor accommodation
Typical Daily Schedule (based on a previous course)
Monday
15:00 – 19:00: Introductory session
19:00: Supper at a local pub
Tuesday
11:00 – 14:00: Individual Alexander lessons
14:00 – 17:00: Session 1
17:00: Supper (hall)
18:00 – 21:00: Session 2
Wednesday
12:00 – 14:00: Individual Alexander lessons
14:00 – 17:00: Session 3
17:00: Supper (hall)
18:00 – 21:00: Session 4
Thursday
09:00 – 11:00: Individual Alexander lessons
11:00 – 14:00: Session 5
14:00: Lunch (hall)
15:00 – 18:00: Session 6
Fees:
£650 per active participant
£300 per observer
All fees are without accommodation and travel, but include food.
For any questions, feel free to contact us at info@peterstark.co.uk
Course 81: 2 - 6 September 2025
In addition to the ‘Silent Conducting’ course, but finishing with an orchestral day, where participants will prepare for a final day with orchestra, with opportunity to both rehearse and perform
Participants: up to six conductors
Staff: Peter Stark and a dedicated body-use coach
Repertoire:
To be announced
The Course Content:
- Work on designated repertoire ‘in silence’
- Detailed technique sessions on the art of showing musical event through gesture
- Sessions on rehearsal planning, time management and communication skills
- A final day where each active participant will get 30 mins rehearsal with the orchestra plus a performance of around 10 minutes each
Typical Daily Schedule (based on a previous course):
Monday
14:00 - 15:00 arrival
15:00 - 18:00 Introductory session
18:30 Pub in Damerham, English pub food and Nepalese food available.
Tuesday
12.00 - 13.00 Technique session
13.00 lunch (hall)
14.00 - 17.00 Repertoire session 1
17.00 supper
18.00 - 21.00 Repertoire session 2
Wednesday
10.00 - 13.00 Repertoire session 3
13.00 lunch
14.00 - 17.00 Rehearsal technique and body use
18.00 - 21.00 Individual Alexander sessions
Thursday
10.00 - 11.00 Individual Alexander sessions
11.00 - 14.00 Repertoire session 4
14.00 lunch (hall)
15.00 - 18.00 Repertoire session 5
19:00 - 21:00 Individual Alexander sessions
Friday
11.00 - 14.00 Rehearsal with Magna Sinfonia
15.00 - 16.00 Performance
16.00 - 18.00 Group Reflection and Feedback
Fees:
£950 per active participant
£400 per observer
All fees are without accommodation and travel, but include food
Location: Rockbourne village, Hampshire
A note from Peter - Exploring the silent conducting course
Many of you have asked about my new silent conducting courses; ‘The Learning Conductor’.
I have always found that the traditional way of teaching and learning conducting is flawed by the music-making; whether two pianos, orchestral masterclass or making a little ensemble from the members of the course it is always somehow unsatisfactory. There is obviously some benefit from the experience of standing in front of a group, but the learning that goes on is always second-rate. Even if you have an orchestra there, you cannot learn whilst you are being overshadowed by a teacher who simply tells you not to do it like that! You are not in charge of the orchestra, so you are not conducting.
Conducting in its basic form is a silent activity, so we should learn to be able to do it without players there in order to delve more deeply. This means learning how to do it before anything else. Just because there is no sound doesn’t mean there is no music!
Most young conductors crave a better technique, but few actually make themselves learn one; few really know the score they are conducting because they don’t know how to learn one, and most have a real lack of understanding of physiology, psychology or body use.
This is a fairly radical way of studying this wonderful art. It is designed to appeal to those who are desperate to learn rather than those who just desire the podium time. How do you learn a score? How much do you about how your body is designed? How much are you aware of the psychology of the professional musician? This explains something of my change of focus, and therefore why courses are now silent. I am thrilled to follow this new direction!