Successful, musicianly conducting requires the development of a communicative technique.  This technique allows an intimate rapport between ensemble and conductor, and its components include hand gestures, eye contact, breath, facial expression, body language, and other factors.  Conducting a choir requires the musician to synthesize what he or she learns in private applied voice study with knowledge gained from the study of music theory, analysis, and music history.  This synthesis allows the conductor to understand a score, to form ideas about the music, and to communicate those ideas and emotions to a choir.  The choir translates them into sound, with the end goal of making the music and its message accessible and understandable to an audience.

    The purpose of this book is to provide a compact but comprehensive guide that helps teach the basics of conducting, rehearsing, and score study.  It is not intended to replace the study of conducting with a master teacher, but rather to enhance what is covered in conducting classes and applied lessons.  It seeks to provide the student a concise, written source that clarifies the discussion and technical work of class or private study.