Performing: Video playlist

Donald Runnicles, Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, discusses his approach to conducting, his relationship with the orchestra, personal techniques and describes how he would be able to identify a piece of music he had conducted through his bad habits! This clip features the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra rehearsing James MacMillan’s ‘The Confession of Isobel Gowdie’.

This clip could be used to develop students understanding of a conductor. Students could then be put in groups and set a small conducting task, where they have to lead an ensemble. Then the students could play the same piece without a conductor, and discuss whether it affected the music. After this, students could evaluate the importance of a conductor and the difficulties they may face.