A new way of viewing the principal is to think of the principal as an orchestral conductor. Insights gained from this perspective may help in progressing toward more healthy and productive school organizations. Both the conductor and the principal are highly visible by virtue of their positions and function as intermediaries in their respective fields. Five dimensions that characterize the role of the conductor are the following: student; communicator; teacher; leader; and servant of the composer. Reframing the role of the principal in terms of those dimensions rests on four foundational premises: (1) adopting a holistic definition of learning; (2) learning methods and strategies that are effective in fostering this kind of learning; (3) seeing teachers as orchestral musicians; and (4) embracing a facilitative conception of power. Some ways of preparing present and future principals are offered along with ideas about how the staff and school system will have to change to fit the conductor framework. (Contains 29 references.) (MLF)