A Premium Experience for Professional Conductors
When the undergraduate and graduate students of UMN Twin Cities School of Music are away for summer break, Ferguson Hall remains lively with music. From July 15–19, for example, the School of Music hosted one of the top conducting pedagogy programs in the nation; the UMN-TC Wind Band Conducting Workshop.
The Wind Band Conducting Workshop was established in 2017, one year after Dr. Emily Threinen became the Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota in the summer of 2016. Following on from the Art of Wind Band Teaching Symposium, that started in the mid 1990s by Prof. Craig Kirchhoff, the Wind Band Conducting Workshop aims to provide opportunities for all levels of instrumental music educators who wish to develop additional skills in conducting and musicianship that will have direct and positive impacts in their classrooms and rehearsals.The School of Music has a tradition of being one of the nation's leaders in conducting pedagogy.
This year, participants received instruction from School of Music faculty members Dr. Emily Threinen, Prof. Jerry Luckhardt, Dr. Betsy McCann and Prof. Dean Sorenson, as well as guest clinician Dr. Robert Ambrose, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Georgia State University. The workshop ended with a chamber winds performance featuring four guest conductors leading community and student musicians.
Cori Smith, a junior high school band director, enjoyed the experience of working with the faculty. “The incredible faculty executed a unified vision to help each conductor communicate their musical vision in the most authentic and efficient way possible.” Smith said. “The instruction was expertly differentiated, and the entire workshop was well-organized, professional, and collegial.”
Ten US states were represented among the participants this summer. Their professions ranged from elementary to high school music educators, and also included undergraduate students from four different colleges, graduate students, music professionals, and retirees. Participants also gain the unique experience of working with a full wind ensemble of 50 members. This year’s afternoon workshop ensemble was composed of community musician volunteers and current UMN-TC students.
“The UMN-TC workshop was an outstanding workshop that appealed to conductors of all ability levels and professional journeys.” said participant Dan Joosten, a high school band director. “As an educator nearing the middle of my career, it was a wonderful opportunity to freshen up on my conducting skills, as well as learn new ideas and concepts from top notch music educators. Aside from the growth as a music educator, the workshop provided a positive, and encouraging environment that fostered networking and friendly camaraderie!”
UMN-TC Bands staff and faculty wish to thank the following: Custom Batons, Music Connection, Schmitt Music, Yamaha Music USA, the Medalist Concert Band, Neoteric Chamber Winds, community musicians, and School of Music and Ted Mann Concert Hall staff and students for making this event possible.
Photos by Darrell Owens and Emily Threinen
