Conductor’s Lab

In 2013, with support from strategic advancement funding from ArtsLab, The Singers launched The Conductor’s Lab. The program, unlike any other in the state, provides professional development for choral educators through a variety of training and evaluation methods.

Conductor’s lab focuses on working directly with High School choral directors and seeks to:

• Renew an educator’s energy for teaching
• Cultivate musical and educational skills that choir directors can transfer to the classroom
• Use a variety of training tools, including coaching, masterclasses, site visits, and self and video evaluations.
• Create relationships with students and families involved in choir.

Applicants work closely with Dr. Culloton and the musicians of The Singers to create a training plan to develop their personal goals and that fits their needs in the classroom. In addition to improving conducting technique and other musical aspects, participants also focus on non-musical aspects including preparation, managing rehearsal time and pacing, and using scores to create lesson plans

What participants say:

Dr. Culloton’s insight into anticipating challenges and planning well-paced and efficient rehearsals was very helpful.   The approach, which I am still practicing, keeps me focused on musical objectives that not only lead to a better performance, but are also directly linked to curricular objectives.

 -Shekela Wanyama, Hopkins High School

I think it’s helpful and healthy for the choir to see their teacher as a student under direct tutelage from another teacher. 

– Joseph Osowski, St. Michael – Albertville High School

Students were engaged in the process and were able to see the progress I made in conducting them.

 -Andrew Beard, Osseo High School