Conducting for Film
Unlocking the secrets of session recordings
Budapest 1st-4th October 2026
Course full. Apply for 2027
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 2027 since Daryl’s course has sold out every year since its launch. You don’t need to pay anything to secure your spot until after we announce the dates and confirm the cost, typically in March or April. The course itself is likely to run in late September / early October.
We already have a waitlist for 2027, BUT it’s still worth applying. Why?
Typically, once we announce the dates, some of the accepted applicants can no longer come. We then open up the newly available spots to people on a first-come, first-served basis.
80% of the people on 2026’s upcoming course made it onto the programme after a stint on the waitlist!
There is also a tiny chance you might still get onto our 2026 course.
If any of this year’s fully confirmed participants drop out, their spot will be offered to the next person on the waitlist. This is unlikely, but did happen in 2025. Since little notice may be provided, it is possible that many waitlisted applicants will be unable to make it, so you might get your chance to attend.
The higher your position on the 2027 waitlist, the greater your chance of getting onto the 2027 course. Who knows, you might get super lucky and make it onto 2026!
Have questions? Contact us here.
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