The College of Music's Conducting Symposium returns to Boulder this June.
Summer programs at the College of Music will soon be in full swing as dozens of flutists focus on mind, body and artistry at the Panoramic Flutist seminar and aspiring singers and composers work side by side with the leaders of opera at CU NOW. But starting June 5, one of the college鈥檚 most long-standing summer traditions returns to Boulder at the Conducting Symposium.
For more than 30 years, the college has welcomed conductors of all levels to a summer conducting workshop. The opportunity to hone their skills and perfect their craft alongside colleagues from around the country is just one of the benefits of the program.
As Director of Bands Donald McKinney explains, the hands-on model of the workshop has something for everyone. 鈥淲e provide experiences with small chamber groups and the full band. And for the past two years, we鈥檝e collaborated with the orchestra department to offer string conducting opportunities as well.鈥�
鈥淭he only way to learn is to conduct live musicians,鈥� adds Gary Lewis, Director of Orchestras. 鈥淎nd we鈥檒l have string musicians here, as well as a pianist to play the wind parts during some sessions.鈥�
Over the course of five days, participants will cover several important subjects, including score study, rehearsal strategies and conducting philosophy.
They鈥檒l also lead large and small groups in a variety of repertoire in front of their peers, getting feedback on technique and the finer points of conducting.
鈥淚t gives them the opportunity to try the things we鈥檙e talking about as we鈥檙e bringing them up. People grow throughout the week,鈥� says Lewis.
While the symposium is open to conductors of all levels鈥攊ndeed, those with 10 years鈥� experience will attend the same sessions as those who may have just earned their degrees鈥攖he symposium is geared toward high school and university-level conductors.
鈥淢usic educators are our main target because there鈥檚 not a lot out there for them,鈥� Lewis says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e looking for ways to not only perfect their conducting but also help their groups play better.鈥�
鈥淔or many people it鈥檚 about rejuvenating their conducting training or extending something they experienced before,鈥� McKinney adds.
In order to offer a breadth of knowledge and feedback, the symposium welcomes guest clinicians each year. For 2016, the University of Michigan鈥檚 Michael Haithcock will sit in on the band side and Donald Schleicher from the University of Illinois will attend the orchestra sessions.
It鈥檚 a special collaboration for both McKinney and Lewis: Schleicher and Lewis were colleagues and McKinney was a student under Haithcock, both in Ann Arbor.
鈥淎s a doctoral student, you develop a supportive relationship with your major professor, and that support never ends,鈥� McKinney says. 鈥淏ringing Michael here and providing that same experience to our participants will make this symposium a unique experience.
鈥淢ichael Haithcock changed my approach to conducting and I look forward to sharing our similar philosophies with our guests.鈥�
The symposium serves as an outreach and recruitment tool for the college, but McKinney says it鈥檚 also meant to build community among conductors from around the country.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 most inspiring for me is the general camaraderie and supportive nature that we enhance and nurture during the week,鈥� he says. 鈥淔or many, this is their first time at a workshop like this and they鈥檙e nervous. But here they鈥檙e free to ask questions and make themselves vulnerable鈥攁nd that鈥檚 the best way to learn.鈥�
Find more information about the Conducting Symposium on the Summer at the College of Music page.
