Babette Greiner (NL)

PANEL: THE CHANGING ROLES OF THE CONDUCTOR

The role of choral conductors has changed within the choir field and, more in general, in the world of classical music. What roles do conductors play when facing the new challenges to classical music? Are they equipped for those roles? How do they see the future of professional choirs?

The non-professional choir field has also broadened, and new skills are required from the conductors, partly because of how the pandemic changed our thinking and our society. How to adapt to the challenges in funding or attracting an audience? In the end, who are we making music for? 


BABETTE GREINER has worked in the music industry since 1996, mostly for contemporary music and improvising ensembles and festivals. From 2008 to 2020, she ran Tenso Network Europe, the European network for professional chamber choirs, organizing international festivals, workshops, summer schools and other projects where the forefront chamber choirs of Europe joined forces. In those years, she has seen the transformation of the role of choral conductors, both within a choir and, more in general, in the world of classical music. What role do conductors play in facing the challenges for classical music? Are they equipped for those roles? And how do they see the future of professional choirs?

Photo by: Zazie de Jong