College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2026-04-28 12:31:00
Major
Music
Honors Course
Music 498
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Music
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
This research proposal explores the meaning behind conducting gestures and their impact on musicians' interpretations of a piece. The project aims to determine whether individuals, regardless of their musical background, can watch a silent conducting video and infer musical intent based on gestures alone. Inspired by conducting studies, particularly those by Dr. Brian A. Silvey, the researcher will investigate how different conducting styles influence perception and ensemble response. The methodology involves recording a professional conductor during rehearsal and then showing the footage to participants from various skill levels, including undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty members. Participants verbalize their interpretations while watching the video, with their responses recorded and analyzed. The study aims to uncover commonalities in perception, providing insights into whether musicians accurately interpret a conductor's gestures. The anticipated outcome is a formal academic paper that explores the effectiveness of conducting gestures in communicating musical meaning. The project holds significant academic value, particularly for aspiring band directors, by deepening their understanding of conducting techniques. The findings could benefit music educators by improving how conductors communicate with their ensembles, ensuring their gestures effectively convey musical intent across different experience levels.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Christine Russell
First Reader
Dr. Michelle Bell
Second Reader
Dr. Jim Johnson
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Todd Gaffke
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Benson, Jacob, "What Musical Meaning Does Conducting Gesture Convey" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2099.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2099