Description:

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.