Dunedin conductor Peter Adams is hoping he will still be able to move his right arm after what feels like a 21-day conducting marathon.
The University of Otago associate professor of music has had a busy start to his year, having directed the 2015 Waitaki Summer Music Camp in Oamaru last week, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Summer School in Auckland this week, and then it is the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand next week.
''It's been crazy.
''Sometimes conducting jobs come in little gluts, and I'm just making the most of it.
''It will be 21 days of conducting on the trot. I think it's as many as I've ever done in one go.
''My arm is automatically going up and down ...''
Assoc Prof Adams was impressed with the talent of young New Zealand musicians.
''The kids, although they may not have the technical facility of the professionals, they can use their imaginations and put across a lot of really good characterful music.''
This weekend, he will head to Woodbourne Air Force Base, in Blenheim, to begin rehearsals with the youth brass band.
Among the 36 auditioned members are St Kilda Brass musicians Sariah Ratford, Kimberley Dainty, Jessica Schweizer, Harry Smith and Max Wilkinson, who will play second cornet, third cornet, flugel, euphonium and bass trombone, respectively, with the ensemble.
Prof Adams will conduct the band in concerts in Westport (January 29), Nelson (January 30) and Blenheim (January 31).
