2018 Instrumental Conducting Symposium

Shenandoah Conservatory hosted its 6th annual Instrumental Conducting Symposium from June 24, through June 27, and featured Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting Timothy J. Robblee, Ph.D., and guest clinician Dr. Mallory Thompson, director of bands at Northwestern University. Twenty-four conductors participated in the event and registration was filled in the first 24 hours. Eight additional conductors attended as observers. Conductors came from middle schools, high schools, graduate schools and colleges from throughout the United States. And two high school teachers at international schools in Asia (Seoul and Hanoi) also attended, as did five professional conductors from the top military bands in Washington, D.C., and the eastern seaboard (3 Navy, 2 Army).

Participant conductors bring their instruments and play alongside top Shenandoah Conservatory students to make the ensemble. One conductor at a time gets in front of the group for work with a clinician. Director of Composition and Coordinator of New Music Jonathan Newman, M.M., and Joel Puckett ’99 came as guest clinicians to inspire the participants and discuss what composers seek from conductors.