This session explores how the coordination of the entire human body is essential to creating authentic and compelling gestures. Unnecessary tension is revealed to be a consequence of holding parts of the body still in an attempt to direct mental focus to other areas of the body perceived to be more actively involved in conducting. An analysis of figure drawing, among other topics, will reveal how the often overlooked torso and lower body are critical components for maximizing musical expression.
Jerald Schwiebert
- Biographical Information
Jerald Schwiebert is one of the country’s foremost authorities on the study and application of the capacity for human physical expression. His manuscript, published by the University of Michigan Press, Physical Expression and the Performing Artist has received critical acclaim from artists across the United States. His movement and performance theories influence hundreds of conductors, singers and instrumentalists each year throughout the world. Schwiebert spent 20 years on the faculty of the School of Music, Theater and Dance at the University of Michigan. He continues to serve on the faculties of the Conductors Retreat at Medomak, the Michigan Band Conducting and Pedagogy Workshop, the Anatomy of Sound Flute Workshop, and offers sessions for the Medical Education Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. He has lead classes for the Academie de direction d’orchestre of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, College Band Directors National Association, Dance America, the National Association of Health Education Centers, the Syracuse Opera Resident Artist Program, members of the Detroit and Grand Rapids Symphonies, and the American Massage Therapy Association. He has also worked with patients through the Henry Ford Hospital Voice Pathology Department. His approach to movement combines various schools and disciplines including Tai Chi, Laban, Feldenkrais, Rolfing, the Alexander Technique, Rubenfeld Synergy, Trager, Modern Dance, Afro-Cuban Dance, Mime, Yoga, Stage Combat, Improvisation, Acting Theory, Anatomy, and Physiology. As a stage director he has directed for the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival Fringe, the Intiman Theatre, the Universities of Michigan, Toledo, California in San Diego, and Southern Methodist University. His principal instructors include foremost director of the American contemporary theater, Alan Schneider and the renowned acting teacher Arthur Wagner. He holds an MFA from the University of California, San Diego.
Dustin Barr is Director of Wind Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at California State University, Fullerton where he actively manages all aspects of the university's comprehensive band program, conducts the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Winds, oversees the graduate wind conducting program, and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Barr is engaged in research with theatre director and performance movement expert, Jerald Schwiebert, on the melding of performance theory with a variety of movement theories and disciplines (Laban, Tai-chi, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, etc.) to establish innovative pedagogical approaches to teaching conducting. He was a recent guest conductor with the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own and he was recognized as one of the nation’s preeminent young conductors as part of the 2010 National Band Association’s Young Conductor Mentor Project. His prior experiences include appointments as Assistant Director of Bands at Michigan State University, Director of Bands at Mt. San Antonio College and Assistant Director of Bands at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California. Barr holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Michigan. He received his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from California State University, Fullerton.