Name: Rachel Grubb

Title of Program: The Performance of Conducting

E-mail Address: rgrubb1@utk.edu

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Year: Junior (entered January 2006)

Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2010

Description of Program:

My program will focus on the musical and practical aspects of conducting orchestras, operas, and choirs. It centers on training in conducting, violin, piano, music theory, ensemble leadership, and Italian. I am gaining valuable on-the-job and behind-the-scenes training as the Assistant Conductor of the Symphony of the Mountains, Missouri Symphony Orchestra’s “Hot Summer Nights Music Festival,” and the Cokesbury Church Choir and Orchestra. I also observe rehearsals of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as a Violinist and take part in national and international conducting workshops to build  technique, rehearsal skills, and practical knowledge necessary to effectively lead an orchestra.

Departmental Emphases: School of Music

Faculty Mentor:

Professor James Fellenbaum,

Director of Orchestras at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Resident Conductor of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Plans after graduation (career, graduate/professional school, etc.):

After completing my undergraduate education, I will earn masters and post-graduate degrees in conducting and go on to audition for jobs as Assistant Conductor for a major professional symphony orchestra. Eventually, I would like to have a career as a Music Director of a symphony orchestra and opera company.

Internships/ Part-time employment:

2008-2009       Assistant Conductor- Symphony of the Mountains (Kingsport, TN)

2008                Assistant Conductor- Missouri Symphony Orchestra

2007-present   Assistant Conductor- Cokesbury Church Choir and Orchestra

2006-present   Violinist- Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

2006-2007       Volunteer Violin Teacher- Joy of Music School

Hobbies:

Hiking/ biking with my dogs, soccer, singing in choir, UT Chancellor’s Honors Program