"I have often heard it said that conducting is an Art, not a Science. It is fascinating to make music with so many musicians playing in an orchestra and to share the experience of bringing great music to life. The conductor has to convey both precise musical elements like beats in a measure, phrasing, entrances, starting and stopping, as well as the intangible, such as nuances, character, emotions, balance and tone quality.

Some conductors have excellent “stick” technique while others have equal success with body language and facial expression. My greatest pleasure as a conductor is to obtain the musical response from the players that I am trying to convey with my gestures. To show energy and expression and then to receive it back as a musical result is a conductor’s dream. A conductor’s heaven is, after having accomplished the musical result, to have the audience respond appropriately to the music."