Larry Livingston, professor, is a distinguished conductor, educator, and administrator, and a highly respected motivational speaker. The founding music director of the Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Larry Livingston has appeared with the Houston Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series, the Festival de Musique in France, the Stockholm Wind Orchestra, served as music director of the Pan Pacific Festival Orchestras in Sydney, participated as a performer at the International Jazz Festival in Rome and conducted electro-acoustic concerts in Tokyo. Mr. Livingston regularly conducts in Germany and Eastern Europe attracting consistent critical acclaim. Reviews describe long, unending applause, enthusiastic cheers, like at a rock concert. Mr. Livingston served as music director of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and subsequently became dean of the Shepherd School of Music and professor of conducting at Rice University in Houston. From 1986 until 2002, Mr. Livingston was dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, where he is currently music director of Thornton orchestras. As a motivational speaker, he has established a national reputation for his presentation, Conducting Your Company, Conducting Your Life , which he has given to corporate and business leaders across the United States. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Guitar Center, the world's largest retail music store chain.

Larry Livingston is the Music Director of Thornton Orchestras, Chair of the Directing Department, and Professor of Conducting at the University of Southern California. He talks about his background. Livingston explains that he grew up in a family full of musicians. When he was young, he wanted to be a jazz player. He played the clarinet and piano. Livingston shares that he went to Michigan for undergraduate degree in performance and music education. His new goal was to become a high school band director. Afterward, Livingston got his masters in music theory and began teaching at a college in Iowa. Livingston discusses how he became interested in orchestra conducting. He went to California to get a degree and met Raphael Druian. Eventually, he taught at Northern Illinois University, the New England Conservatory of Music, and Rice University. Also in this segment, Livingston shares how he caught the Midwest bug to move to California. He finally applied to the University of Southern California and was the only candidate. He also has a career as a motivational speaker.

Larry Livingston is the Music Director of Thornton Orchestras, Chair of the Directing Department, and Professor of Conducting at the University of Southern California. He discusses his conducting philosophy. As a conductor, one needs conviction, absolute knowledge of the piece, and to be the music. Livingston explains that he teaches students to forget conducting techniques and simply do what's necessary to lead the music. This concept brings out natural movements rather than time patterns. He tries to stress that technique is secondary to inflection. Livingston also talks about the responsibility of keeping the beat. The idea of organizing the music includes but is not owned by beating. Also in this segment, Livingston discusses charisma. Charisma is an outgrowth of what's inside of each individual.

Larry Livingston is the Music Director of Thornton Orchestras, Chair of the Directing Department, and Professor of Conducting at the University of Southern California. He offers advice to parents and young adults faced with the decision of whether or not the child should enter the music business. Livingston agrees that parent's have the right to worry about their child's decision to enter the music business. However, if the child understands the risk and still wants to pursue a life in music, Livingston recommends letting the child follow their passion. One does not control one's own destiny. He shares his viewpoint that it's a bad idea to try to convince parents that music is a low risk career. It is a high-risk situation. However, he points out that music is a golden opportunity for those with the passion and willingness to pay the dues. Also, the individual must have talent. Livingston discusses the best game plan as well - support the child.

Larry Livingston is the Music Director of Thornton Orchestras, Chair of the Directing Department, and Professor of Conducting at the University of Southern California. Mr. Livingston discusses the necessity of developing a wide variety of musical skills to compete in today's market. The music industry is constantly changing. Therefore, aspiring individuals must have agility and a wide range of expertise.