CU Boulder Wind Band Conducting Symposium

CU Boulder Bands

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.

June 7-12, 2026

2026 Tentative CU Boulder Wind Band Conducting Symposium schedule

Clinicians

Guest clinician
Allan McMurray

CU Boulder clinicians
Shanti Simon
Professor of Conducting
Director, Bands

Logan Sorey
Assistant Teaching Professor of Conducting
Interim Associate Director, Bands
Director, Golden Buffalo Marching Band
Director, CU Boulder Summer Music Academy 

Participation

Three levels of participation are available:

Conducting Track: (20 conductors, $650)

The Conducting Track is designed for teachers and conductors. Conductors will work with clinicians in small groups and the Symposium Band. 

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.

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.

Auditor ($50 for one day, $250 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.

2026 CU Boulder Wind Band Conducting Symposium registration

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. 

Due to policy changes with conference services, we are unable to offer on-campus housing. Participants will need to secure their own lodging at a local hotel (a few of our suggestions here) or Airbnb. On-campus dining is available at the Center for Community and UMC Market. These dining centers accept credit and debit cards.

CU Boulder Preferred Hotel Program

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.

Tuition credit

For an additional fee, conductors may take the course for optional tuition credit through the University of Colorado Boulder Continuing Education. The course will be offered as Independent Study Music 5018-751. Information on how to register for course credit will be available by May 1.

2025 tuition credit registration instructions

Required supplies

All conductors must bring their own SD card to store their session recordings (we will provide the recording device). We recommend a 128GB card, but a 64GB card will work if you are able to save the files to your computer at the end of each day. Auditors do not need to bring an SD card.

2026 repertoire

Repertoire for 2026 is forthcoming and will be communicated with participants.

Purchase scores

Music may be purchased directly from composers’ websites or any reputable sheet music companies.

Contact

Questions? Contact Ensembles Program Coordinator Rachelle Crowell at rachelle.crowell@colorado.edu, 303-492-6584.