Welcome to the University of Colorado Boulder graduate wind conducting program! Here you will find important information about our program and degree offerings.
The master’s and doctoral conducting program provides a wide variety of experiences that prepare our graduate conductors to function in teaching and conducting positions. We have three teaching assistantships that allow our graduate students to work with all areas of our comprehensive band program. We have three bands—CU Bouuler Wind Symphony, CU Boulder Symphonic Band and CU Boulder Concert Band; as well as our athletic bands—Golden Buffalo Marching Band and Buff Basketball Band. Our graduate students are involved in all aspects of the program as well as undergraduate conducting courses.
In addition to our annual season of concerts, honor band festival and guest artists, we also host a summer conducting symposium. Our guest clinicians have included Richard Floyd, Michael Haithcock, Jerry Junkin, Kevin Sedatole and Steve Davis.
Questions about the degree or band program? Contact Associate Director of Bands Matthew Dockendorf.
Matthew Dockendorf
Matthew Dockendorf is Associate Director of Bands and Instructor of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder where he conducts the CU Boulder Symphonic Band, directs the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, and teaches courses in music education and conducting. Prior to his appointment at CU Boulder, Dockendorf studied at Michigan State University where he wrote drill and arranged music for the Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Brass. He served as conductor of the Campus Band and guest conducted the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band and Concert Band. Dockendorf has guest conducted high school and middle school bands in Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri and South Carolina, and has presented clinics at various state music conferences and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. MORE
Branden Steinmetz
Branden Steinmetz is Assistant Director of Bands and Instructor of Music at the University of Colorado where he conducts the Concert Band, assists with the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, directs the Buff Basketball Band and teaches courses in music education. Prior to coming to CU Boulder, Steinmetz studied wind conducting at Michigan State University. He was actively involved in all facets of the band program at MSU, including the Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Brass, all major concert band ensembles, as well as conducting courses. Before MSU, he taught band and percussion at Woodbury High School, Minnesota. MORE