The Jacobs School of Music offers a setting for a select number of exceptional conductors to pursue Masters and Doctoral degrees in conducting performance under the tutelage of faculty Maestri David Effron, Arthur Fagen, visiting faculty Cliff Colnot, Carl St. Clair, and Uriel Segal.
Distinguished visiting conductors in the recent past include, Kurt Masur, Franz Welser-Möst, Carlos Kalmar, Giancarlo Guerrero, Bramwell Tovey,
Matthias Pintscher, Michael Stern, Leonard Slatkin, and Lorin Maazel.
Students benefit from an unparalleled university performance scene that includes 5 orchestras, a season of up to 6 fully-staged operas and 3 ballets, a vibrant new and early music programs, and artists in residence. The world-class facilities, large music library, performance opportunities, and distinguished faculty contribute to an environment where student conductors are able to prepare for success at the highest levels of the profession.
Designed for the advanced masters and doctoral students, the program emphasizes both symphony and opera repertoire and offers the opportunity for instruction with the Conductor's Lab Orchestra three times a week. In addition, students conduct their own ad-hoc concerts, and have an opportunity to serve as assistants to the faculty and visiting conductors within orchestral and operatic productions.
Former students regularly conduct many of the world’s great orchestras and hold key positions with opera houses, orchestras, and ballet companies worldwide. Members have also enjoyed notable success in academia, music theater, and international competitions.