Teaching Conducting Students

I "taught" my first conducting class yesterday. I suppose I was a little nervous before it began, but like I am in any teaching situation where I feel a little nervous, I fake confidence and go forth. Each student had to bring a Bach Chorale and conduct their classmates while they sang it. When I was not sure of what the student was doing, I asked to see it again. I asked the conducting student a lot of questions while they were up front, as well as asked about text translation and meaning. They received two grades: one on conducting and one on analysis of their score.

Afterwards, I got a little bit of feedback. A few students asked to meet up with me during my office hours so they could work with me. Another undergrad said that (and this does not surprise me) that even though he was still nervous, it was less intimidating to work with me. He continued by saying that it was very plain I was their to help them improve and do well.

The other day I was thinking about the kind of teacher I want to be, both now and with my future students. I want to be demanding and I want my students to know that I have high expectations of them, but I also want them to know that I am here to help them succeed.