Conductors need to develop a wide range of skills. The following is a list of the major requirements:

• Be familiar with a wide range of musical styles.
• Be aware of the problems of musical interpretation.
• Be able to read a full score.
• Have a good knowledge of the capabilities of the various instruments in the ensemble.
• Recognise pitch inaccuracy.
• Be able to maintain a proper balance and blend within the ensemble.
• Use clear and unambiguous conducting gestures.
• Establish a rapport with the players that enables him to elicit a cooperative response from the ensemble.