The conductor’s craft may be described as an art of persuasion by which musicians, audiences, and communities come to share a deep connection with the orchestra and its repertoire. Passion, intellect, insight, musical talent, and charisma all come into play. A conductor’s authority flows from the respect he or she commands, the power of his or her musical vision, and the skill and facility by which musical ideas are communicated through physical movement as well as verbal instructions.

Evaluating conductors objectively can be difficult: There is no “correct” way to perform a given work of art; honest and vigorous differences of opinion are possible. It is not always clear to what extent the conductor rather than the orchestra is responsible for a good (or bad) performance, though the picture generally becomes clearer over time. This situation increases the likelihood that conductors may be evaluated by superficial criteria: how they “look” on the podium, for example. The mystique that surrounds the conductor’s role sometimes obscures the fact that it is possible for a conductor to be a clever charlatan – to substitute show for substance, terror for talent.

Many of the qualities needed by a music director are innate. Others are acquired over time. Training does not occur by accident but should be developed purposefully and sequentially. Taken together, these traits and skills are the building blocks by which talent creates art.