The Conductor's Gesture: A Practical Application of Rudolf Von Laban's Movement Language

The culmination of almost thirty years of research, writing, and teaching, this important book by James Jordan presents a vision of conducting gesture and technique as a movement language. In this comprehensive resource, Jordan applies the theories of movement education icon Rudolf Laban, as inspired by the pedagogical insights of Jordanís mentor and teacher Gail B. Poch. Each section is detailed through research, extensive discussion, and suggestions for study.


Dr. Jordanís pioneering research and writing on this subject will make this seminal volume an indispensible resource for the development of conducting technique and the foundation of many approaches to conducting pedagogy. Specifics of the book include:

• Comprehensive summary of Labanís theories of movement
  
  
  
• Comprehensive survey of research in movement and movement perception
  
• Practical application of Labanís ideas to building expressive conducting technique
  
• Sequential skill set sequence for the development of expressive conducting technique
  
• DVD to guide users through Laban movement experiences and applications to conducting technique
  
• Integration of Alexander Technique into Laban for conducting
  
• Extensive application of Laban States and Drives to conducting
  
• A score analysis system that utilizes the theories of Laban applied to score study
  
• Specially designed musical examples for practicing Laban Efforts
  
• Applications to musical examples of Laban principles by both Jordan and Giselle Wyers
  
  
  

Also in this volume are contributions by Giselle Wyers and Meade Andrews. Dr. Wyers explores in depth the application of States and Drives, and makes direct applications to specific works in the choral literature. Dr. Andrews details a sequential curriculum for the practice and development of expressive conducting technique, all demonstrated on the DVD included with this book.

James Jordan is Professor and Senior Conductor at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. Meade Andrews is an internationally recognized certified senior teacher of Alexander Technique. She currently teaches as guest artist-in-theatre at Rider University. Giselle Wyers is Associate Director of Choral Studies and Voice at the University of Washington.