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A stroboscopic image of the hands and baton of conductor Efram Kurtz, shot by legendary music and arts photographer Gjon Mili in 1945.

The photo headlines New York music columnist Justin Davidson’s recent report on learning to conduct, which perhaps unsurprisingly deals exclusively with technique. For American orchestras to thrive in the twenty-first century we will have to see much more media coverage – not to mention standard conservatory curricula – focused on other critical skill sets for conductors, particularly programming, community engagement and leadership.