Wind Band Conducting Workshop

From Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18, 2025 join nationally recognized master educators for demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on constructive feedback related to the art and pedagogy of conducting and ensemble teaching.
Held on the stage of Ted Mann Concert Hall, this five-day in-person workshop is an opportunity to hone conducting skills in a concert band setting.
This conducting workshop offers sessions on the art, craft, and current topics related to the work of wind band conductors and educators at varied levels. Clinicians aim to strengthen gestural communication and partnership on the podium, provide perspectives and tools to enrich and deepen music-making, broaden approaches on the concert experience and repertoire selection, and foster discussions on leadership, rehearsal techniques, advocacy, development, and service in the profession.
2025 Registration is now open.
Band Conductor Track – waitlist only
Undergraduate Student Fellow Track – space available
Observer Track – open enrollment
Clinicians
Name | Title |
---|---|
Travis J. Cross | Director of Bands; Professor of Conducting | UCLA | Yamaha Master Educator |
Emily Threinen | Director of Bands; Associate Professor of Conducting | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | Yamaha Master Educator |
Jerry Luckhardt | Associate Director of Bands | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Betsy McCann | Assistant Director of Bands; Director of Marching and Athletic Bands | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
John Leonard | Assistant Director of Marching and Athletic Bands | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Danni Gilbert | Assistant Professor Instrumental Music Education | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Schedule Overview
The comprehensive workshop will officially begin at 4:00pm on Monday and conclude with a Chamber Winds Concert that starts at 6:00pm on Friday. All sessions will take place in Ferguson Hall, Ted Mann Concert Hall, or Ultan Recital Hall
Monday, July 14, 2025
1:00-3:00pm: Chamber Track music rehearsal - open for observation
4:00-5:00pm: Workshop Registration
5:00pm: Welcome and Introductions with UMN-TC Faculty and Guest Clinician
5:30pm: Concert Hall Access
6:00pm: Workshop Band Reading Session
7:30pm: Reception sponsored by UMN-TC Bands
8:30pm: Reception ends
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
9:00am: Morning Session with Dr. Threinen
9:40am: Coffee and Danish
10:00am: Break-Out Sessions
12:00pm: Lunch Break
1:00pm: Concert Hall Access
1:30pm: Workshop Band Session and Lessons
6:45pm: Dinner Break
7:00pm: Possible Student Fellow Track conducting opportunity
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
8:30am: Huntington Bank Stadium Marching/Athletic Band Facility Tour
9:40am: Coffee and Danish
10:00am: Break-Out Sessions
12:00pm: Lunch Break
1:00pm: Concert Hall Access
1:30pm: Workshop Band Session and Lessons
5:45pm: Dinner Break
7:00pm: Possible Medalist Concert Band Session
9:00pm: Medalist Concert Band Rehearsal Session ends
Thursday, July 17, 2025
9:00am: Morning Session with Dr. Threinen
9:40am: Coffee and Danish
10:00am: Break-Out Sessions
12:00pm: Lunch Break
1:00pm: Concert Hall Access
1:30pm: Workshop Band Session and Lessons
6:15pm: Dinner Break
Friday, July 18, 2025
9:00am: Coffee and Danish
9:30am: Chamber Conductors
10:00am: Break-Out Sessions
12:00pm: Lunch Break
1:00pm: Concert Hall Access
1:30pm: Workshop Band Session
5:00pm: Workshop Band Session ends
5:15pm: Closing Remarks
6:00pm: Finale Chamber Winds Concert
7:30pm: Optional Group Dinner and Celebration
2025 Workshop Band Repertoire
On Parade: A Quick March (1914/2020) by Amanda C. E. Aldridge/Bove
Down a Country Lane by Aaron Copland/Patterson
Halcyon Hearts (2021) by Katahj Copley
And the grass sings in the meadows (2011) by Travis J. Cross
Air for Band (1956/1966) by Frank Erickson
Unidad en Ritmo (2023) by Michele Fernández
A Little Tango Music (2007) by Adam Gorb
Lincolnshire Posy [Movements I, II, V, VI] (1937/1987/2010) by Percy Grainger/Fennell/Rogers
A Bernstein Tribute (1991) by Leonard Bernstein/Clare Grundman
First Suite in E-Flat (1909/1922/1984) by Gustav Holst/Matthews
Festal Scenes (1988) by Yasuhide Ito
Ash (2018) by Jennifer Jolley
Fantasia in G: Freude, Schoener Goetterfunken (1983) by Timothy Mahr
Mother of a Revolution (2019) by Omar Thomas
Chorale and Shaker Dance (1972) by John Zdechlik
2025 Chamber Track Repertoire
Sept Dances (1972) by Jean Françaix
Divertimento in E-flat for Wind Octet (1968/2000) by Gordon Jacob
Five Elements (2021) by Yunfei Li
Carmina Burana (1937/1981) by Carl Orff/Wanek
Tracks of Participation
CHAMBER CONDUCTOR
Four conductors will be chosen by application as Chamber Conductors. The Chamber Conductors will work intensively with advanced wind musicians and Clinicians on one piece during the chamber sessions, receiving 35 minutes of chamber podium time 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 on Friday evening and will receive recordings of their performance. The Chamber Conductors will also participate in the afternoon sessions as conductor with the Workshop Band for one day, receiving 14 additional minutes of podium time. The Chamber Track is designed for improvement of high-level chamber conducting in addition to large ensemble conducting. Each conductor is expected to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
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 [email protected]
Chamber Track Application is due Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Applicants who would like to attend the Workshop as a Band Conductor, if they are not selected as a Chamber Conductor, should register for the Band Conductor Package first. If needed, you can switch your track in May.
Registration Deadline for Chamber Track (with approval) is Thursday, May 22, 2025.
BAND CONDUCTOR
Band Conductors of all levels will work intensively on conducting with clinicians in small groups and with the Workshop Band. Each conductor will receive 10-15 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 Band Conductor Track is designed for improvement of conducting and teaching at all levels. Each conductor is expected to perform their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions. One spot is reserved for a Mike Moss Grant Recipient.
Participants are expected to bring their own scores. A number of commonly used scores for conducting workshops—including ours—can be found through Gateway Sheet Music.
OBSERVER
Unlimited Observers 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. All participants are required to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
STUDENT FELLOWS (UNDERGRADUATES)
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.
Faculty are working on collaborations with Twin Cities community ensembles to enrich the music-making opportunities for our participants at this event. We may be partnering with such ensembles as the Medalist Concert Band, Encore Wind Ensemble, and the Neoteric Chamber Winds. All participants are required to play their instrument in the afternoon Workshop Band sessions.
Session Fees (Packages)
- Chamber Conductor: $780* (maximum capacity: 4) - Audition required and due May 1, 2025 - please read above
- Band Conductor: $676* (maximum capacity: 22)
- Observer: $286* (unlimited)
-
Student Fellow (Undergraduates) Fee: $234* (maximum capacity: 12)
*Fee INCLUDES 4% credit card processing fee.
Mike Moss Conducting Grant (1 recipient)
The Wind Band Conducting Workshop is a proud supporter of the CBDNA Mike Moss Conducting Grant. Directed to women and people of diverse ethnicity, the Mike Moss Conducting Grants are an opportunity for professional development and enhancement and the opportunity to attend one of several leading symposiums across the country. For more information, please visit the CBDNA website by clicking here.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
A letter will be issued to all registered participants at the end of the workshop outlining your track of participation and the number of contact hours. We do not offer graduate credits for this workshop.
Parking (Add On)
Parking is an optional add-on during registration. $13 rate per day for the 21st Avenue Ramp (unlimited access). Registration will allow you to choose the number of days between 1-7. Most will choose 5 or 6.
If you do not register for parking in advance, the options (without in/out privileges) are:
- 21st Avenue Ramp ($13 daily max)
- 19th Avenue Ramp ($13 daily max)
- Lot 94 ($6 daily max)
Payment is cash or credit card. Note: Non-event rates are listed.
Lodging (Add On)
On campus lodging is an optional add-on during registration.
Housing location is TBD.
All rooms are in air conditioned buildings. All rooms include a linen/towel package. Laundry access, computer lab access, and guest WiFi is available at no additional charge.
- TBD rate per person.
Registration will allow you to choose the number of nights between 1-7. Most choose 5 or 6. Registration will include an option to request a roommate or be paired at random.
Check In: 1:00pm | Check Out: 12:00pm
Cancellation
In the event of cancellation, a refund will be issued (less non-refundable processing fees -- approximately 5% of total amount paid). Should cancellation happen immediately prior to the event, we reserve the right to issue a partial refund to help cover no-show costs charged to our department (i.e. parking, housing, and other).
Questions?
Contact the Band Office at [email protected]