Logo

Welcome to ConductorSchool.com

Home Workshops Wayne Toews Saito method text Resources

For general information contact

Empower your gestures with precision and artistry.

Scrapbooks of previous workshops
Click location for photos and information

Those interested in hosting a conducting workshop are invited to contact


Students of the Saito Conducting method develop extraordinary technique which allows them to express their musical ideas with clarity and artistry. As a student in Germany and principal cellist of the NHK orchestra, Hideo Saito analyzed the gestures used by the most outstanding European conductors. The resulting method has developed during the past sixty years at the Toho Gakuen School of Music whose alumni include Seiji Ozawa and Kazuyoshi Akiyama.


The method uses compositions which are rich with conducting challenges. From the first lesson, students learn how the motion of their arm elicits sounds. Training of the arm begins with a swinging motion to improve precision and to indicate internal rhythms and subdivision. Students are taught to make "Into-point" and "From-point" motions to expand their technical and expressive capabilities. Training of the arm is always accomplished in a musical context. Demonstrations and descriptions facilitate and accelerate technical development.


The method provides a comprehensive study of all major aspects of conducting as a foundation for further study. Students are challenged to express their own interpretations and empowered to apply gestural concepts to new music. Students learn how to make the eight types of gestures and how to choose those which will best express their ideas.


Students receive group and individual instruction from Wayne Toews. The students follow a detailed course of study, based upon the Saito Conducting method textbook, and each is given a block of time to work with the teacher. Students also have the opportunity to observe during the lessons of other students. During the lessons, students conduct duo pianists who act as the "ensemble" and who respond accurately and sensitively to the conductor's gestures.


Saito conducting students learn by doing, by observing and by responding. The workshop is best suited to those musicians who have advanced musical training especially in theory, ear training and style.

Video recordings will be made of the conducting sessions; each participant will receive a DVD of their work.

I'm pleased to offer this opportunity for conductors to develop gestural excellence. Thirty-five years of study, practice and teaching of the method means that I am both effective and efficient in instructing and helping students. More than 100 conductors have already benefited from my instruction. The workshop is designed for musicians who have excellent listening, music reading and interpretive abilities and who have a keen desire to develop or to improve their gestural skills. It is not necessary for the participants to have studied conducting. 

2010 Saskatchewan Orchestral Assoc.  International Conducting Workshop using the Saito method

instructed by Wayne Toews

click for course information

click for information about the University of Saskatchewan

click for information about Saskatoon

For further information contact:

Wayne Toews

1610 Morgan Avenue,

Saskatoon, SK.,

Canada, S7H 2S1

Telephone: (306) 373-6408

logo

© 2005 Wayne Toews. All rights reserved

 

 

Page revised August 25, 2010