Conducting for Film
Unlocking the secrets of session recordings
Budapest 2-5 October, 2025
Conducting for a film, tv or game session recording is unlike anything else. Here, time literally IS money. Recording with a full, 70-piece orchestra costs upwards of £90 per minute, with venues like Abbey Road costing many times more.
Composers, and even orchestrators, cannot afford to rely on conducting lessons they’ve had featuring classical pieces and non-professional orchestras, where the repertoire is known and there’s ample rehearsal time, particularly true in university courses.
Those relying on such experiences are often so badly burned during a commercial recording session that they never try conducting again, which is a shame, as composers know their music best.
Taught by an expert and prolific session conductor, this course gives film, tv and game music composers and orchestrators the tools and confidence they need to save money by being more efficient, while getting a better result from their orchestral session.
Daryl will discuss the common mistakes made which lead to problematic recordings, so composers and orchestrators can better prevent, predict, diagnose and solve problems. Attendees will also improve their chances of getting their music played correctly the first time by:
Rehearsing the orchestra in the right way − when to use the click and when not to
Giving the right visual cues – “To convey weight behind the melody, I used to beat aggressively but never got the desired result straightaway. Now I understand why”.
Learning the do’s and don’ts for session conducting – so you don’t antagonise the musicians, but instead get them onside so that they play their best for you.
Attendees will come away with an individualised video recording of themselves conducting various cues, filmed throughout the course. This video will form a permanent, tailored record of what was taught, and will serve as an invaluable refresher to inform their session conducting technique for the rest of their career.
Even if attendees decide not to conduct going forward, understanding session protocols and rehearsal techniques will make them more effective, and decisive, producers of their music. They’ll also be better able to articulate what they want to the conductor they hire, minimising re-takes due to miscommunication.
Whether you conduct the music yourself, or instead simply produce it on remote or in person, this course will teach you what you need to be successful musically and financially.
To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend you apply ASAP for 2026 since Daryl’s course has sold out every year since its full launch two years ago.
There is also a tiny chance you might still get onto the 2025 programme, if a confirmed participant is forced to drop out unexpectedly. Unlikely, but it happened last year! You might not get a lot of notice if this happens though.
2026 cost and dates are likely to be announced in March or April. Payment will NOT be due until then. Course dates will most likely be late September / early October.
Once the details are announced, the first six accepted applicants will be given the chance to secure their spot with a deposit in the order in which they applied.
The rest will go on a waitlist, and only be offered spots if those above them in the queue do not pay their deposits, or if they drop out.
Have questions? Contact us here.
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