Conducting

Conducting in change ringing is the role of supervising a piece of ringing such as a plain course of a method or a touch. The conductor is nominated by the tower captain or ringing master of a practice, service ringing, or outing; or by the arranger of a quarterpeal or peal. The role only survives a particular piece of ringing, as a different ringer may be asked to conduct each touch at a ringing practice, for example. The conductor also rings a bell (or pair of handbells) for the touch, although rarely a person may conduct from outside the circle. The ringing is controlled by voice commands and unlike an orchestra the conductor does not mark time.

The conductor's responsibilities are to:-

Before ringing starts

1. Ensure that the composition to be called:
   • will come round
   • is the desired length
   • is true to the method(s) concerned (although an exception is sometimes made for short practice touches)
   • has been learnt correctly
2. Advise the band of any unusual features of the composition, such as non-standard calls or start
3. Place the band to produce the best ringing, accommodating preferences of individual ringers and their developmental needs

While ringing

1. Encourage a high standard of ringing
2. Say "go method name" after the band has settled into a good rhythm in rounds
3. Call any bobs, singles, changes of method etc neither too early, nor too late
4. Check at frequent intervals that the ringing is correct and bells have not shifted
5. Say "that's all" as the touch comes back into rounds
6. Say "stand" after the desired number of ending rounds have been rung
7. Say "stand", "rounds", or call the touch round early:
   • if there is an emergency, mechanical failure, or risk to the health or safety of the ringers
   • if the touch has been miscalled
   • if two or more bells have shifted
   • if the standard of ringing is deemed by the conductor to be of insufficient quality
8. Help members of the band recover from their mistakes and improve their striking

After ringing a peal or quarterpeal

1. Record the duration of ringing from starting changes to "that's all"
2. Send details of the performance to the tower secretary / association / Ringing World / Campanophile, as required
3. Collect any tower / association / Ringing World donations or rope fees, as required