The Graduate Wind Conducting Program at the Peabody Conservatory, under the direction of Harlan Parker, is designed to provide training and practical experience to students who desire to improve their technical skills and further explore the repertoire of the wind band and the chamber wind ensemble. The Graduate Wind Conducting program offers both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees.
All students participate in weekly lessons and seminars with Dr. Parker. In addition, conducting students are expected to attend the rehearsals of the Peabody Wind Ensemble, and have the opportunity to work with sections of the ensemble during outside, sectional rehearsal time.
Conducting majors are occasional guest conductors of the Peabody Wind Ensemble in public concerts. Other opportunities for the student conductor at Peabody range from conducting repertoire on student composition recitals to accompanying other performers who wish to use ensembles for their solo recitals. Additionally, students in the graduate wind conducting program serve as producers for the Peabody Wind Ensemble Recording Project.
Harlan Parker has been the conductor of the Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble and coordinator of the music education division at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University since the fall of 1990. Under his direction, the Peabody Wind Ensemble (PWE)has given over 40 world premieres and has performed at state, regional, and national conventions.