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Understanding Preferred Leadership in Ensemble Conducting: A Study Across Different Musical Contexts

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Leadership styles and characteristics in large ensemble conductors greatly vary and are often based on the individual in front of the ensemble. These characteristics and styles are as diverse as the number of conductors. This observation leads to the question: Are there desired leadership styles or characteristics from members of large ensembles? Through a mixed-method approach, the researcher aims to identify the desired leadership styles and characteristics of large ensemble members in educational settings (higher education), amateur settings, and professional settings.The research questionnaire will determine demographic information about the study’s participants, such as the instrument and their performance levels. The survey instrument will supply a list of characteristics for participants to choose as a desired leadership style or characteristics. Each participant will also have an opportunity to share other information they deem necessary to determine these desired elements of leadership. All open-ended questions will be coded into themes and identified along with the other options. Through this study, the researcher aims to answer the following research questions: 1. Are there specific desired characteristics or styles of leadership within large instrumental ensemble conductors? 2. Do these desired elements differ between the age or experience level of the performers? 3. Do these desired elements differ between the geographical locations of the performers?

Timothy Heath

Dr. Timothy Heath is the Director of Bands and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Wake Forest University, where he leads the band program. He also directs the Triad Area Medical Orchestra and is the founder and music director for NexTonal, a chamber winds group. An accomplished clinician, conductor, and percussionist, Dr. Heath has worked with ensembles across the U.S. and Europe and performed with groups like the Piedmont Wind Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and the Winston-Salem Symphony. His research has been featured in prominent music publications, and he has presented clinics both nationally and internationally. Dr. Heath holds degrees from UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, the University of Alabama, and the UNC School of the Arts. He is also a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician. He also represents and supports Conn-Selmer musical instruments as serving as an educator and clinician for their prestigious Department of Education.