ABSTRACT The Doctoral Performance and Research submitted by Brian Hughes, under the direction of James Smith at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Musical Arts consists of the following: I. Written Project: "Alberto Ginastera: Variaciones Concertantes, A Conductor's Study" This written project provides background into Ginastera's use of folk song and dance in relation to his "concert variations." It addresses Ginastera's musical influences as well as the role of the gaucho in Argentine folklore. Relying upon traditional, as well as personal analytical techniques, it provides an avenue of study for conductors, including the author's demonstration of the work's "scenic" construction and challenges for the players and conductor. Includes annotated conducting score, CD, and DVD recordings of live performance. II. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 10/3/2004, Mills Hall Peter Illych Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 3, "Mozartiana" III. Conductor, UW-Madison Symphony, 10/16/2004, Mills Hall John Corigliano: "Promenade" Overture IV. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 11/14/2004, Mills Hall Bizet: Symphonie in C V. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 2/20/2005, Mills Hall Ginastera: Variaciones Concertantes VI. Conductor, University Symphony, 3/17/2005, Mills Hall Ravel: Bolero VII. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 4/5/2005, Mills Hall Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 3 VIII. Conductor, University Symphony, 10/2005, Mills Hall Bach/Elgar: Fantasy and Fugue in C-minor Bach/Webern: "Ricercare," from A Musical Offering IX. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 10/11/2005, Mills Hall Faure: Masques et Bergamasque X. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 11/2005, Mills Hall Rossini: Overture to Tancredi XI. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 2/2006, Mills Hall Sibelius: Pelleas and Melisande XII. Conductor, University Symphony, 3/2006, Mills Hall Dvorak: Carnival Overture Barelos: 30% from Pumpkins XIII. Conductor, University Symphony, 4/6/2006 Maxwell Davies: Orkney Wedding and Sunrise XVI. Conductor, University Chamber Orchestra, 4/2006 Ives: Symphony No. 3