PT101: "Polishing the Potential in Young Conductors," with Mei-Ann Chen

 Today we're talking with Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta, about enhancing your rehearsals with Rehearsal Language, how she led the orchestra to win a MacArthur Award for their Theatrical and Diverse Programming, and how her Project Inclusion Conducting Fellows learn and prepare for a professional conducting career.

This interview was originally recorded for the PT100 Livestream Extravaganza to raise money for the Conducting Fellowship through Chicago Sinfonietta. This is the full interview, including over 30 minutes that were cut from the livestream presentation. Please support Project Inclusion and learn more at https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/education/project-inclusion. 

Today we discuss:

Chicago Sinfonietta and the Project Inclusion Program (6:15)Who should apply to the Conducting Fellowship and what Mei-Ann is looking for in a conducting applicant (15:50)Rehearsal Language and Auditioning with confidence for Professional Orchestra (21:12)The most important lessons that Mei-Ann learned from her teachers, including Frank Battisti, Marin Alsop, Donald Runnicles, and Robert Spano (41:17)How Chicago Sinfonietta won a MacArthur Award for their theatrical and diverse programming (49:04)Project W and Mei-Ann’s Hidden Gem composers (55:36)Final Advice (1:08:50)

 Check out everything that Chicago Sinfonietta has to offer, including Project Inclusion, their virtual Membership, and their recordings for Project W on Spotify.

Find this and all other episodes at PodiumTimePod.com. Subscribe and download Podium Time on your favorite podcast player and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @PodiumTimePod. You can also join our Facebook Group, the Podium Time Inner Circle to ask questions and continue the conversation after every episode. Want to send us an email? Use the contact page on our website! If you’d like to support the podcast monetarily and get bonus content, consider joining our Patreon community at Patreon.com/PodiumTimePod. If you’re in the market for a new baton, use our promo code “PodiumTime” at Pagubatons.com for 20% off your first order. 

Grab your copy of Jeremy's Score Study Checklist by signing up at http://eepurl.com/hgmYAb

Support the show

Sign up for a free 1-hour meeting with Jeremy to help you upgrade your conducting, build your audiences, and reach the next level of your career: https://calendly.com/jdcuebas/free-meeting