The sonic baton is a novel intelligent instrument that expands the practice of conducting by sonifying conductor gestures, with or without an ensemble. This paper reviews related sonic baton technologies developed over the past two decades before it introduces the sonic baton, an intelligent instrument using neural audio synthesis with Realtime Audio Variational autoEncoder (RAVE) models, applying practice-research in a series of performance experiments. These experiments highlight the baton’s potential for diverse sonic expressions. Reflections on performances reveal unique opportunities for conductors, ensembles, and composers. The paper concludes that artificial intelligence can significantly expand conducting practices and augment musical ensembles’ sonic expressions, reinforcing the emergence of a new music-science paradigm.

All forms of leadership are currently undergoing change, as digitalization, democratization, and increased transparency have led to a shift in social values and a realignment of influence disassociated from power. Power is shifting in the world; old leadership models are clashing with new leadership models. The article presents an analysis of the role of the conductor using the new power compass framework to discuss the drivers of change in the future of ensemble and orchestral direction and their programming to support diversity and inclusion.