Understanding Preferred Leadership in Ensemble Conducting: A Study of Characteristics and Styles Across Different Musical Contexts
Tim Heath
Wake Forest University
Elm Fork II
Friday, March 28th
8:50 am
Clinic Synopsis
Leadership styles and characteristics in large ensemble conductors greatly vary and often are based on the individual in front of the ensemble. These characteristics and styles are as diverse as the number of professional conductors. This observation leads to the question, are there desired leadership styles or characteristics from members of large ensembles? Through a mixed-method approach, the researcher aims to identify the desired leadership styles and characteristics of large ensemble members in educational settings (both secondary and higher education) and professional settings. The researcher will submit a questionnaire to secondary students, collegiate ensemble members, and professional ensembles. The questionnaire will determine demographic information about the study's participants, such as instrument and grade level or if they are professional performers. The survey instrument will supply a list of characteristics for participants to choose as a desired leadership style or characteristics. Each participant will also have an opportunity to share other information they deem necessary to determine these desired elements of leadership.
All open-ended questions will be coded into themes and identified along with the other options. Through this study, the researcher aims to answer the following research questions.
1.) Are there specific desired characteristics or styles of leadership within large instrumental ensemble conductors?
2.) Do these desired elements differ between the age or experience level of the performers?
3.) Do these desired elements differ between the geographical locations of the performers?
Biography
Dr. Timothy Heath is the Director of Bands and an Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. At Wake Forest, he oversees all aspects of the band program and teaches conducting and wind band history. Dr. Heath was previously the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Samford University.
As a conductor, Dr. Heath serves as a clinician across the United States for honor bands and other guest-conducting events. He recently joined the Triad Area Medical Orchestra as a conductor and music director. Dr. Heath is an active clinician and adjudicator for concert bands across the United States. As a music educator, Dr. Heath has presented sessions and research at the state and national levels, published in The Instrumentalist, The National Band Association Journal, and Percussive Notes.
As a percussionist, he regularly performs with the Piedmont Wind Symphony, a professional Wind Ensemble based in Winston-Salem, NC. His percussion background includes playing with the Tuscaloosa Symphony, the Alabama Winds, the Greensboro Philharmonia, and other concert ensembles. He is also an active drum set performer.
Dr. Heath serves on the Small College/University committee of the College Band Directors National Association and is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, College Music Society, Kappa Delta Epsilon Education Fraternity, Mu Phi Epsilon, WASBE, IGEB and is an Honorary Member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity at the University of Alabama and Wake Forest University.
Dr. Heath holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a Doctorate from The University of Alabama, and a Professional Artist Certificate in Conducting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Dr. Heath is a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician and proudly supports Sabian Cymbals, Blackswamp Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Innovative Percussion.