On the occasion of the publication of “L’orchestre au travail. Interactions, négociations, coopérations” (Ravet, 2015) which is based on the observation of several conductors and several ensembles in the process of constructing a musical performance, the workshop/encounter takes on the subject of the practice of orchestral conducting as a process of creation. What happens concretely during this collective work?

How are the musical and social elements inextricably associated? This what is to be discussed in the company of two women who conduct ensembles: Claire Gibault and Dominique My. Gender brings a particular to light the givens of the situation of collective creation, the present-day transformations of this type of process and the function of the orchestral conductor. How is music brought about according to the size of the ensembles and the various types of repertory? What type of authority do the conductors bring to bear? What forms of creativity do they encourage in instrumentalists over the course of rehearsal and performance? This is what is to be analysed in the light of the three conductors’ experience.