Master Classes

Conductor Carl Topilow, author of The Orchestral Conductor’s Career Handbook, is offering coaching and mentoring for conductors of all levels of experience. Topilow, who has extensive experience in both classical and pops music, has served as conductor for:

  • Pops orchestras

  • Regional orchestras

  • Community orchestras

  • Youth orchestras

  • Conservatory orchestras

  • Summer festival orchestras

Subjects for mentoring includes:

  • Programming

  • Rehearsing

  • Auditioning

  • Self-promotion

  • Close examination of standard repertoire works

Book Carl for master classes and seminars.

Former Student Testimonials

“I can definitely say that our time together and your teaching on efficient rehearsing made all the difference!”

— Gaddiel Dombrowner

Recent winner of the Kussewitzky Conducting Competition in Grosseto, Italy; winner of the 3rd Turchak Conducting Competition 3rd prize winner of the Blue Danube Opera Conducting

“I have absorbed more than I can possibly measure about conducting and the orchestral world from Carl Topilow going back to my years as his Assistant Conductor with the National Repertory Orchestra. From intricate details in orchestral scores to his invaluable and practical advice on presenting Pops concerts, I have had the privilege of learning from Carl for decades – and hope to continue to do so through his new book!”

— Alfred Savia

Artistic Advisor & Principal Conductor, Indianapolis Opera; Conductor Laureate, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra

“My time spent learning to be an orchestral conductor with Carl was incredibly meaningful and helpful. From Carl I learned how to run an efficient rehearsal (a MUST for an assistant conductor especially), how to successfully engage my colleagues and get their best from them, and how to really dive deep into a score and arrive at a convincing interpretation through preparation and decision-making. He has continued to be a lifelong mentor for me, and I am extremely grateful for all his guidance and insight throughout my career.”

— Chelsea Tipton

Music Director and Conductor, Symphony of Southeast Texas; Pops Conductor, New Haven Symphony

“Carl Topilow has at the same time the detailed, refined expertise of a Swiss watch craftsman and the energy of a master. His infinite curiosity brought him to have a technical knowledge of every instrument and repertoire (from pops to crossover, from opera (I'm Italian and every now and then he'd quote for me lines from Italian operas) - to symphony. His efficiency in rehearsing is exemplary: going straight to the core of the problem with few incisive words and fixing it. Then his performance energy is at the same time strong and calm: he has a certain way of making people feel at ease that playing for him becomes easy: yet you're doing exactly what he wants!

On a personal side, his curiosity and generosity are outstanding: he considered me family from day 1 (of course speaking Italian to me - he speaks a number of foreign languages easily and wouldn't miss a chance to use them!) and was glad to spend hours with me, making sure I was prepared to do my best for my concerts and duties. And the best part is that it's a "life subscription": once you've studied or worked with him, you can always go back to ask suggestions, ideas and projects and with his fine humor, he'll be there with answers and advice. I'm very grateful to have had the chance to be his assistant at NRO and to have stayed in touch since, I owe him a lot!”

— Stefano Sarzani

Staff and Conducting Assistant, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Frequent opera guest conductor

“I am grateful that Carl understands the value of experiential learning. There is no substitute for standing on the podium and experiencing the incredible organism that is an orchestra and being allowed to experiment — sometimes more successfully than others. I am profoundly grateful for the numerous opportunities Carl presented to me during my years as Assistant Conductor of the NRO, and for the wisdom and perspective he offered during that time.”

— Mark Russell Smith

Music director and Conductor, Quad Cities Symphony; Conductor and Director of the Orchestral Program, University of Minnesota

“Here’s a book I wish had been available when I was starting out as a conductor. If you want to shave about 10 years off your learning curve, make this book your professional go-to guide. I worked under Carl at the beginning of my career and have continued to cherish our friendship through the present day. He is the real deal: a conductor who understands deep down what it takes to be successful. Just look at his career, and you’ll see the proof right there. Do yourself a favor and invest in The Conductor’s Journey – A Guide for the Young and Emerging Conductor. I know I already have!”

— Paul Haas

Music Director and Conductor, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Music Director and Conductor, and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra

“I was always impressed with Carl’s practical knowledge of and experience with the repertoire, to the point where he could accurately predict what would happen in a particular spot. ‘The horn will be sharp in this chord, the violas will rush in these measures, this tempo change will be tough because…’ as examples. Many of those predictions have been borne out in my own experience!”

— Steven Smith

Music Director and Conductor, Richmond Symphony; Former Assistant Conductor, Cleveland Orchestra

CIM Masters in Orchestral Conducting

Here are just a few of the students with whom I have worked:

  • Mélisse Brunet

    Conductor, Northeastern Pennsylvania Orchestra and Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra; Director of Orchestral Activities at University of Iowa

  • Major Dwayne Milburn

    Faculty, UCLA; former Conductor and Arranger, Continental Army Band (Fort Monroe, Virginia,) The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (Washington, DC), and the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus (Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Jason Seber

    Former Education Conductor, Louisville Orchestra; former Associate Conductor, Kansas City Symphony, frequent guest conductor

  • Steven Smith

    Conductor, Richmond Symphony (VA); former Assistant Conductor, Cleveland Orchestra, former Conductor, Santa Fe Symphony

  • Deanna Tham

    Currently Assistant Conductor, Oregon Symphony; former Conductor, Boise Youth Orchestra; Louisville Youth Orchestra, Assistant Conductor, Jacksonville Symphony, Omaha Symphony

  • Robert Tuohy

    Conductor, Limoges Symphony and Opera (France); former Assistant Conductor, Montpelier Symphony (France)

NRO Assistant Conductors

  • Robert Franz

    Former conductor Boise Philharmonic, resident conductor, Houston Symphony, conductor, Windsor Symphony

  • Nicholas Hersh

    Former associate conductor, Baltimore Symphony, frequent guest conductor

  • Stilian Kirov

    Conductor of the Illinois Philharmonic and the Bakersfield Symphony; former Associate Conductor, Seattle Symphony and Memphis Symphony

  • Jose-Luis Novo

    Conductor, Annapolis Symphony, frequent guest conductor

  • Mark Russell Smith

    Conductor, University of Minnesota, Quad Cities Symphony

  • Chelsea Tipton

    Conductor Beaumont, TX; pops conductor, New Haven Symphony, former Assistant Conductor, Toledo Symphony