Can You Be the Conductor? is a unique student development programme, using conducting as a vehicle to nurture leadership and foster musicianship. Five students from Onehunga High School participated in this year’s programme. Having never conducted an orchestra before, they undertook some basic conducting training with APO Conductor David Kay over the course of one month and had the opportunity to work with APO musicians in ensemble settings. Their training culminated in each student taking to the podium in front of the full APO in rehearsal and conducting an excerpt from either Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slav or Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The programme offers students an amazing opportunity and inspires them to take their leadership skills beyond the classroom.