UNO School of Music graduate student Peter Nelson and associate professor Dr. Matthew Brooks presented their research at the 6th Annual International Conference on Arts & Humanities in Honolulu, this week. Peter studies orchestral conducting with Dr. Brooks, Director of Orchestral Activities in Music & Medicine. Together, they presented a research-based exploration of how nontraditional ensembles—specifically the Nebraska Medical Orchestra (NMO)—can serve as powerful pedagogical spaces for conductor training.

Drawing on action research methods, the study examined what skills graduate conductors develop beyond the core competencies emphasized in traditional conductor training. Findings emphasized that conducting is inherently human-centered, requiring awareness of relational communication, responsiveness to real-world ensemble contexts, and the ability to balance musical goals with the social dynamics of rehearsal spaces. The research also highlighted broader implications for preparing 21st-century conductors to work in educational, community-based, and arts-in-health settings.

The NMO is a unique partnership between the UNO School of Music and the University of Nebraska Medical Center that serves as a wellness initiative for health science students, faculty, staff and providers. The ensemble operates under the musical support of School of Music faculty Dr. Matthew Brooks and Dr. Mary Perkinson, providing graduate conducting students with vital experiential learning opportunities in a community-based setting.

Peter’s participation in the conference was made possible through funding support from the NMO, the UNO Office of Research and Creative Activity, the UNO School of Music, and the CFAM Dean’s Office.