Emblematic conducting performance involves the practice of significant non-verbal gestures to convey a musical interpretation that supports a homogeneous relationship of gesture and sound. The complex theories of audiovisual perception and the dynamic relationship that exists between a conductor and an ensemble is a fascinating topic worthy of exploration. New methods and approaches to teaching and evaluating gesture are beneficial and further the technical development of undergraduate conductors. Non-traditional learning sessions designed to improve goal-directed actions and the perceptual understanding of emblems involved the use of motion capture technology and body mind flow exercises.
This investigation compiled data acquired from participant interviews and self-evaluations. Feedback collected from a chamber ensemble and an expert panel helped to validate the usefulness of the pedagogies. Gesture reviews that utilized point-light videos and corresponding sound moments and emblem identification tests helped strengthen each conductor’s self-awareness and sonic-object familiarity in an unbiased manner. Emblem practices addressed in training helped the conductors to improve the expressivity and specificity of their gestures. Interaction with motion capture technology, hands-on performance of march-style excerpts and body mind flow exercises raised the contextual focus the conductors applied to their movement executions.