Wind Band Conducting Workshop

Images of people conducting in various contexts. Conducting exercises outside, a conductor with a clinician on Ted Mann Concert Hall, and a chamber conductor in Ultan Recital Hall.
Highlights from the 2024 Wind Band Conducting Workshop. Photo credits (left to right): Nicole Radotich, Darrell Owens, Seth Davis.

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 will open in mid-February.

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

Schedule Note

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 or Ted Mann Concert Hall.

2025 Workshop Band Repertoire 

To be determined

2025 Chamber Track Repertoire 

To be determined

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 ubands@umn.edu

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. Registration will launch in mid-February.

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) - Registration will launch in mid-February.
  • Observer: $286* (unlimited) - Registration will launch in mid-February.

  • Student Fellow (Undergraduates) Fee: $234* (maximum capacity: 12) - Registration will launch in mid-February.

    *Fee INCLUDES 4% credit card processing fee.

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. TBD rate per day for the 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 ubands@umn.edu