How to get into conducting?

[wwalrus]

I've seen all these festivals with youth programs for conducting, but for all of them you have to have experience conducting. Where do you begin?

[j_menz]

A fork and an electrical socket?

Do you know any local amateur choirs, bands or chamber orchestras who'd let you practice on them?

[timothy42b]

I've seen all these festivals with youth programs for conducting, but for all of them you have to have experience conducting. Where do you begin?

They don't check your references.  Tell them you have experience.

[Bob]

Start with some group or assist.  Looks kind of tough though.

Or conduct recordings, collect scores, and study, for as much as that will get you in front of an actual group.

[timothy42b]

If you want to conduct, but do not play or sing regularly in ensembles, you do not have a good model for how it's done, and you'll struggle.

If you do play in ensembles but don't watch the conductor, which is not uncommon, same thing.

[quantum]

Sing or play in the type of ensemble you wish to conduct.  You need to gain the perspective of the musician you intend to conduct.