Choral History – Rodney Eichenberger

In the most recent episode of Choral History, I sit down with a living legend, professor Rodney Eichenberger. Rod has led programs at the University of Washington, USC, and Florida State University; for mere mortals, leading just one of those programs would be a major accomplishment. Many of the current top conductors in the American choral scene studied with Rod over the years (if you google Rod's name, a bunch of other choral director's images come up in addition to his), and our conversation covers just how far reaching Rod’s influence has been. I studied with him at Florida State University both as an undergrad and a graduate student, so we talk a little about that shared history.

 

We also talk about how he developed his signature approach to teaching conducting. If you have never studied conducting with Rod, or seen him teach, I would highly recommend you consider attending one if his workshops (this interview was done at the Choral Conductors Workshop in Cannon Beach Oregon). He has a way of distilling complicated concepts into very clear, logical, and simple ideas. Even if you don't agree with everything (what's the joke about economists? If you have three economists in one room you get five opinions…teaching conducting is like that I think), his approach can be very enlightening. If you have studied conducting in the last 30 years, it's more than likely that you have been exposed in some way to some of his philosophies, even if inderectly. His approach is that far reaching.

 

Hope you enjoy this great conversation with an icon of the choral world.

 

 

 

 

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