Wind Band Conducting Workshop
From Monday, July 13–Friday, July 17, 2020, join nationally recognized master educators for demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on constructive feedback related to the art and pedagogy of conducting and ensemble teaching.
The Minnesota Wind Band Conducting Workshop focuses on issues that confront instrumental music educators at all levels: artistry, authenticity, technique, rehearsal strategies, repertoire, programming, audience considerations, technology in music education, advocacy, and more. All faculty clinicians aim to strengthen and broaden participant’s perspective on the craft of conducting and the art of teaching.
Workshop activities will be held in Ted Mann Concert Hall and Ferguson Hall.
Registration for Band Conductor, Observer, and Student Fellow Tracks opens January 15.
Application for Chamber Track due April 1; decision notification April 15.
The Medalist Concert Band will join us for a rehearsal demonstration session, led by clinicians, on Tuesday, July 14, 7-9 pm.
Faculty & Guest Artists
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Allan McMurray | Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Conducting, University of Colorado-Boulder |
| Emily Threinen | Director of Bands, University of Minnesota / Yamaha Master Educator |
| Jerry Luckhardt | Associate Director of Bands, University of Minnesota |
| Betsy McCann | Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands, University of Minnesota |
| Lance Sample | Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, University of Minnesota |
Tracks of Participation
Chamber Track
Four conductors will be chosen by application as Chamber Participants. Chamber Participants will work intensively with advanced wind musicians and Clinicians on one piece, or movements from a larger piece, during the chamber sessions, receiving over 30 minutes of chamber podium time and constructive feedback, per day. The conductors are expected to bring scores of all pieces to observe and study during the week. Each conductor will perform their piece or movements on Friday evening and will receive electronic video recordings of their performance. The Chamber Participants will also participate in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions as a conductor for two days, receiving additional podium time with a large ensemble. The Chamber Track is designed for improvement of high-level chamber conducting in addition to large ensemble conducting. All participants are required to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
2020 Chamber Ensemble Repertoire
To be selected from and assigned to Chamber Track Participants
- Deuxieme Suite (1877) by Theodore Dubois
- Czech Suite, Op. 39 (1879) by Antonín Dvořák/Sheen
- Petite Symphonie, Op. 90 (1885) by Charles Gounod
- Octet-Partita in E flat (1803) by Johann Nepomuk Hummel
- Serenade in C minor K388, No. 12 (1782) by W. A. Mozart
- Octet in Bb Major, Op 216 (1892) by Carl Reinecke
- Suite Française (1991) by Guy Woolfenden
To apply, email a resume and video recording with your face and torso toward the camera (no more than 20 minutes of rehearsal and/or performance) to:
ubands@umn.edu
If the video file is too large to email, you may share via Google Drive or send a YouTube link.
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Decision Notification: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Band Conductor Track
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Conductor Participants of all levels and interests will work intensively on conducting with Clinicians in small groups and with the afternoon Workshop Band. Each conductor will receive 8-15 minutes of individualized podium time for three days and a private lesson with at least one Clinician during the week. Additionally, the week offers daily topical sessions, presentations, and activities related to conducting and teaching. The Conductor Track is designed for improvement of conducting and teaching at all levels. All participants are required to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
2020 Workshop Band Repertoire
Band Conductor Track Participants select from these pieces
- Awakenings (2003) by Kimberly Archer
- Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo (1963/1979) by Malcolm Arnold, trans. Paynter
- Variations on a Korean Folk Song (1967) by John Barnes Chance
- Lincolnshire Posy: Mvmts I, II, V, VI (1937/1987/2010) by Percy Grainger, ed. Fennell
- Albanian Dance (2005) by Shelley Hanson
- Shining Through (2018) by Carl Holmquist
- On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss (1876/1989) by David Holsinger
- First Suite in E-Flat (1909/1922/1984) by Gustav Holst, ed. Matthews
- Variations on “America” (1891/1968) by Charles Ives, orch. Schuman, trans. Rhoads
- Ash (2018) by Jennifer Jolley
- Courtly Airs and Dances (1995) by Ron Nelson
- Chester: Overture for Band (1957) William Schuman
- Three Ayres from Gloucester (1969) by Hugh Stuart
- Shenandoah (2019) by Omar Thomas
Observer Track
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Unlimited Observer Participants are welcome to attend all sessions of the Workshop. The Observer Track is designed for any participant interested in learning more about conducting and teaching, but do not wish to conduct in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions. All participants are required to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
Student Fellow Track
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Designed for undergraduate music education students, this track follows the same format as the Observer Track and provides an opportunity for students new to conducting to explore music education topics. Special sessions for Student Fellows will include a Q & A Lunch. All participants are required to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
Schedule
Tentative, subject to change.
| MONDAY, JULY 13 | |
|---|---|
| 1:00–3:00 pm | Chamber Musicians rehearsal, open for observation |
| 3:00 pm | Registration and Room Check-In |
| 5:00 pm | Introductions and Welcome |
| 6:00 pm | Reading of selected large ensemble repertoire with Workshop Band |
| 7:30 pm | Light reception sponsored by UMN Bands |
| 8:30 pm | Reception ends |
| TUESDAY, JULY 14 | |
|---|---|
| 8:30 am | Movement Session for All Tracks |
| 9:30 am | Coffee and Danish |
| 10:00 am | Break-Out Sessions: – Chamber Track Session – Conductor, Observer, Fellowship Track Sessions with Clinicians |
| 12:30/1:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 pm | Workshop Band Session for All Tracks begins |
| 5:20 pm | Workshop Band Session ends |
| 5:30 pm | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 pm | Medalist Concert Band Rehearsal Session begins |
| 9:00 pm | Medalist Concert Band Rehearsal Session ends |
| WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 | |
|---|---|
| 8:30 am | Movement Session for All Tracks |
| 9:30 am | Coffee and Danish |
| 10:00 am | Break-Out Sessions: – Chamber Session – Conductor, Observer, Fellowship Track Sessions with Clinicians |
| 12:30/1:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 pm | Workshop Band Session for All Tracks begins |
| 6:30 pm | Workshop Band Session ends |
| 7:00 pm | Optional Group Dinner |
| THURSDAY, JULY 16 | |
|---|---|
| 8:30 am | Movement Session for All Tracks |
| 9:30 am | Coffee and Danish |
| 10:00 am | Break-Out Sessions: – Chamber Session – Conductor, Observer, Fellowship Track Sessions with Clinicians |
| 12:30 pm/1:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 pm | Workshop Band Session for All Tracks begins |
| 6:30 pm | Workshop Band Session ends |
| 7:00 pm | Optional Group Dinner |
| FRIDAY, JULY 17 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am | Coffee and Danish |
| 9:30 am | Chamber Track starts |
| 10:00 am | Break-Out Sessions: – Chamber Session – Conductor, Observer, Fellowship Track Sessions with Clinicians |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch Break for All Tracks |
| 1:30 pm | Workshop Band Session for All Tracks begins |
| 4:45 pm | Workshop Band Session ends |
| 5:00 pm | Final Remarks / Snacks (Terrace/Ferguson Lobby) |
| 5:30 pm | Chamber Concert conducted by Chamber Track Conductors |
| 7:00 pm | Reception at Local Establishment (Optional) |
Session Fees
Chamber Conductor
Fee: $675 (includes a $50.00 non-refundable registration deposit)
Maximum Capacity: 4
Application & Registration Notes:
To apply, email a resume and video recording with your face and torso toward the camera (no more than 20 minutes of rehearsal and/or performance) to the address below.
- Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, April 1, 2020
- Decision Notification: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Registration Note: Chamber Track will open on April 15 and will stay open until May 13, 2020.
Band Conductor
Register Now
Fee: $575 (includes a $50.00 non-refundable registration deposit)
Maximum Capacity: 22
Registration Note: Band Conductor Track will open January 15, 2020 at 10:00am and will stay open until filled.
Observer
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Fee: $250 (includes a $50.00 non-refundable registration deposit)
Maximum Capacity: unlimited
Registration Note: Observer Track will open January 15, 2020 at 10:00am and will stay open until June 15, 2020.
Student Fellow (Undergraduate Students)
Register Now
Fee: $200 (includes a $50.00 non-refundable registration deposit)
Maximum Capacity: unlimited
This option is available for current Undergraduate Music Education Major at a college or university.
Registration Note: Fellow Track will open January 15, 2020 at 10:00am and will stay open until June 15, 2020.
Registration, Housing, Meals, Transportation and Parking expenses are not included in Session Fees.
Optional Fees
Housing Fees
Registration closes on June 15, 2020.
Comstock Hall on the East Bank (Note: Middlebrook Hall is closed due to renovations). Dormitory is a 14 minute (.7 mile) walk from the workshop location.
Single: $65 per night
Double: $50 per night
Parking & Transportation
Registration closes on June 15, 2020.
Located on the West Bank in close proximity to Middlebrook Hall and Ferguson Hall:
Surface Lot: $10 per day (includes in-and-out privileges)
Parking Ramp: $12 per day (includes in-and-out privileges)
Street/Meter parking: hourly rates
Ferguson Hall and Ted Mann Concert Hall are in close proximity to the West Bank Light Rail Station.
Meals
Participants are responsible for all meal expenses. Light pastries and coffee are provided each morning. See restaurant guide and restaurant map for nearby dining options. Online registration does not include any pre-paid meal options.
Optional dinner locations are coordinated each night for social engagements, participants are responsible for meal and beverage expenses.