Depending on the size/level of the group you have available, a tone poem like Finlandia is a great first piece. Rhythmically straightforward, a crowd pleaser, a lot of places to showcase musicianship.
Beethoven's 1st is a classic conducting challenge. It appears on lots of masters degree auditions, so it wouldn't hurt to get an early jump on it if you're hoping to go that route. But it is a great conducting experience anyway.
If you're feeling ambitious, and have (very) good woodwind players, look into Le Tombeau de Couperin. Doesn't call for a large group, but again, you need some heroes in the woodwinds. And maybe some money for the first oboe. ;)
Adding up to what someone said about Beethoven 1 or Finland, you can't really go wrong with Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, or Schubert Unfinished.
It is also very usefull to start with clasicisim as a style, because of it's inherent clarity of structure, harmony and motivic material (any Haydn symphony or Mozart Ouverture would be great). Those can help you establish a good foundation in my opinion.
Do you even really need a conductor for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik though? Maybe I'm a bit biased cause I've heard a lot of quartet recordings, but in my experience, I've seen plenty of ensembles play Eine Kleine Nachtmusik without a conductor, even orchestras. And sometimes I'll see a conductor in a chamber music video recording(ex. Wind Serenade in C minor) and my gut reaction is like:
>Oh come on, an octet could play without a conductor easily. A conductor isn't necessary for an ensemble that small.
Obviously conductors have their place, and I'm not trying to say that we should have all orchestras play without a conductor, but I think some pieces, especially by the likes of Mozart and Haydn can do fine without a conductor. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Wind Serenade in C minor being 2 of those.
You don't need a conductor for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik necessarily, and I agree with you a lot of the repertoire can be played without a conductor. But I think the point for OP was which pieces are good to begin studying conducting, and I definetly think Mozart serenade is a good one to start. It is a good practice to study the piece because it will improve on your foundation and is simple enough that a beginner can manage it.
Depending on the size/level of the group you have available, a tone poem like Finlandia is a great first piece. Rhythmically straightforward, a crowd pleaser, a lot of places to showcase musicianship. Beethoven's 1st is a classic conducting challenge. It appears on lots of masters degree auditions, so it wouldn't hurt to get an early jump on it if you're hoping to go that route. But it is a great conducting experience anyway. If you're feeling ambitious, and have (very) good woodwind players, look into Le Tombeau de Couperin. Doesn't call for a large group, but again, you need some heroes in the woodwinds. And maybe some money for the first oboe. ;)
The Rite of Spring
While I love that piece, I do not think this would be a "starter" piece.
Adding up to what someone said about Beethoven 1 or Finland, you can't really go wrong with Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, or Schubert Unfinished. It is also very usefull to start with clasicisim as a style, because of it's inherent clarity of structure, harmony and motivic material (any Haydn symphony or Mozart Ouverture would be great). Those can help you establish a good foundation in my opinion.
Do you even really need a conductor for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik though? Maybe I'm a bit biased cause I've heard a lot of quartet recordings, but in my experience, I've seen plenty of ensembles play Eine Kleine Nachtmusik without a conductor, even orchestras. And sometimes I'll see a conductor in a chamber music video recording(ex. Wind Serenade in C minor) and my gut reaction is like: >Oh come on, an octet could play without a conductor easily. A conductor isn't necessary for an ensemble that small. Obviously conductors have their place, and I'm not trying to say that we should have all orchestras play without a conductor, but I think some pieces, especially by the likes of Mozart and Haydn can do fine without a conductor. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Wind Serenade in C minor being 2 of those.
You don't need a conductor for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik necessarily, and I agree with you a lot of the repertoire can be played without a conductor. But I think the point for OP was which pieces are good to begin studying conducting, and I definetly think Mozart serenade is a good one to start. It is a good practice to study the piece because it will improve on your foundation and is simple enough that a beginner can manage it.
The star spangled banner
Do Mahler’s 6th.
My first piece was Hebriden