Hosted on our beautiful campus, the annual CU Boulder Wind Band Conducting Symposium is designed for individuals conducting professionally, including graduate students and those leading public school band programs, community and collegiate wind ensembles.
There are two available tracks intended to serve the individual needs of each conductor and provide the maximum amount of conducting time. All tracks will participate in a variety of clinics that focus on score study, repertoire selection and artistic development for the conductor.
Interested applicants will submit a brief conducting video with their application, via a private YouTube channel. Please select your preferred track; video submissions will be used to place applicants into the various tracks. All participants are expected to perform in the Symposium Band.
June 9-14, 2024
Clinicians
Guest clinician
Shanti Simon, Director of Bands, University of Oklahoma
CU Boulder clinicians
Donald J. McKinney, Director of Bands
Matthew Dockendorf, Associate Director of Bands
Branden Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Bands
Participation
Four levels of participation are available:
Chamber Conducting Track: (10 conductors, $750)
The Chamber Conducting Track is designed for teachers and conductors looking to improve their musicianship through small ensemble conducting. Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree in music and/or music education. Throughout the symposium, participants will conduct two pieces of chamber winds repertoire and receive individual feedback from each conductor. Conductors will receive 45 minutes of conducting time and individual video follow-up sessions.
Band Conducting Track: (10 conductors, $750)
The Band Conducting Track is designed for teachers and conductors at all levels. Band conductors will work with clinicians in small groups and the Symposium Band. Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree in music and/or music education. Conductors will receive 45 minutes of conducting time with clinician, as well as private video follow-up sessions.
Undergraduate Conducting Track: (4 conductors, $300)
This track is designed for junior or senior music education students looking to improve their conducting skills. Participants in this track will observe all conducting sessions and lectures. Additionally, participants will conduct the Symposium Band twice—Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
Auditor ($100 for one day, $400 for the whole week)
Auditors are welcome to register to attend on a prorated daily basis! Only able to drop by for a couple of days out of the week? This option is for you! The Auditor Track is designed for the conducting student who is seeking to develop, refine, and hone their conducting technique. No conducting video is necessary for auditors.
All participants should bring their primary instrument and perform in the afternoon Symposium Band.
Housing + meals
We are able to offer you a cost-effective solution for housing and meals this summer! Stay on campus at a rate lower than you will find anywhere else in the region during peak tourist season. Your meal plan included in this package will give you access to a wide variety of food options, including diverse dietary accommodations at the Center for Community on campus. All of these accommodations are a short walk from Imig Music Building, making your on-campus stay the most convenient and the most cost-effective way to attend the symposium.
Pricing
Approximately $465 per person includes 5 nights, 14 meals and all applicable taxes. You may extend your stay by one night on either end of the main lodging and dining package for an additional cost.
Already got your lodging, but still looking for an on-campus meal plan? No problem!
You can purchase a lunch-and-dinner meal plan as well. This meal package includes 9 meals for approximately $116.
The link to reserve your on-campus lodging and meal plan will be included in your confirmation email once you’re registered for the symposium.
Questions regarding housing and dining? Contact Conference Services at conferences@colorado.edu, 303-492-5151. On-campus housing and dining registration closes May 22.
Registration
Register for the 2023 Wind Band Conducting Symposium
Registration will open Jan. 20, 2023.
A deposit of $200 (or full tuition amount, if less than $200) is required upon registration. This deposit is non-refundable, unless conductor is asked by CU Boulder faculty member to defer participation. Prior to May 31, refund is in full excluding the non-refundable $200 deposit. Payment in full is due by May 31.
Conducting Symposium on campus lodging and dining
Refund policy
All refunds will be processed on the card used to make the payment through the registration portal. Prior to May 31, refund is in full excluding the non-refundable $200 deposit. Payment in full is due by May 31. No refunds will be issued for cancellations June 1 or thereafter.
Note: On-campus housing and dining has a separate refund policy.
Tuition credit
For an additional fee, conductors may take the course for optional tuition credit through University of Colorado Boulder Continuing Education. The course will be offered as Independent Study Music 5018. Information on how to register for course credit will be available by May 1.
Tuition credit registration instructions
2023 schedule + repertoire
Chamber Conducting Track:
- Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, arr. Derek Stoughton—Symphony No. 2 (Overture to “L’Amant Anonyme” )
- Richard Strauss—Suite in B-flat, Op. 4
Band and Undergraduate Conducting Track:
- Kelijah Dunton—Stillwater
- Percy Grainger/ed. Fennell—Lincolnshire Posy
- Gustav Holst/ed. Matthews—First Suite in E-flat
- Cait Nishimura—Chasing Sunlight
- Katahj Copley—Halcyon Hearts
Purchase scores
Visit MidwestSheetMusic.com, select Band, then Conducting Symposiums, then Colorado ... and then select the scores you wish to purchase.
Contact
Questions? Contact Ensembles Program Coordinator Rachelle Crowell at rachelle.crowell@colorado.edu, 303-492-6584.