
Guest Clinician
Emily Threinen
Director of Bands
Associate Professor of Music
College of Liberal Arts
University of Minnesota
Symposium Director
Tim Robblee
Director of Bands
Associate Professor of Conducting
Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah University


About
All participants conduct both chamber and full ensemble repertoire. Daily conducting sessions consist of hands-on feedback from clinicians as well as video review feedback. The week is designed to further develop your conducting skills as well as add new thoughts and techniques to your everyday work.
We believe in a strong sense of camaraderie and care for your fellow musicians. There will be many opportunities to meet new people for different areas and share ideas with each other over the course of the week. Social activities are an integral part of your time here as well!
Participants and observers will take part in clinics on a wide range of topics, including discussions on score study, rehearsal techniques (including observations), wind literature, working with composers, effective teaching methods from the podium and many others!
Application Information
The 2023 Instrumental Conducting Symposium is open to up to 24 participants. An unlimited number of observer slots are available for the 2023 summer program.
Once the participant slots are filled, you can be added to the waitlist for a Participant slot by indicating this on the registration form. Conductors will be pulled from the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants will receive confirmation of acceptance into either the participant track or by Monday, March 13, 2023. Directions for payment are included in an acceptance email from Dr. Tim Robblee. Please note that slots will not be reserved until payment is received.
- Full access to all symposium events
- Playing in the symposium band, including the demonstration rehearsal
- Opportunities to conduct in the morning small group sessions (provided that the number of observers is in single digits)
- Early notification of registration for the following year (we will prioritize conductors who attend as observers for full participation in subsequent years)
- Please note: For those who pay registration for observer slots primarily in hopes of getting moved up from the waitlist, we ARE willing to refund observer fees should you choose not to attend
Contact Shenandoah Conservatory Director of Bands Tim Robblee at trobblee@su.edu with any questions.
Fees & Payment
Participants – $450 | Observers – $225
After completing the registration form using the link above, you may continue with the payment process. Once your payment is processed, you will receive confirmation of your participation in the symposium. Contact the Shenandoah Conservatory Box Office at (540) 665-4569 with any payment needs or questions.


Graduate Credit
Graduate and Continuing Education Credits are available. Individuals registered for the Instrumental Conducting Symposium may elect to earn up to three graduate credits through Shenandoah University. This credit may be used for certificate/licensure renewal or applied to degree programs. Shenandoah University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Course Title: Trends and Practices in Winds and Percussion Education
Course Number: MUCC 597 SCS (1 graduate credit)
Course Title: Readings: Winds and Percussion Education
Course Number: MUCC 598 SCS (1 graduate credit)
Course Title: Best Practices Conducting Application
Course Number: MUCC 599 SCS (1 graduate credit)
Repertoire
- Holst (ed. Matthews) – First Suite in E-flat (pub: Boosey & Hawkes)
- Grainger (ed. Fennell) – Lincolnshire Posy (pub: Ludwig Masters Publications) (movements 1, 2, 5, 6)
- Ives – Variations on “America”
- Archer – Awakenings
- Mackey – Undertow
- Stuart – Three Ayres from Glouchester
- Hanson – Albanian Dance
- Katahj Copley – Halcyon Hearts
- Invincible Eagle (USMB download)

2022 Schedule (Sample)
Time | Event | Location |
3:00 p.m. | Registration/Check-in | |
4:00 p.m. | Opening Session: Craig Kirchhoff – What I’ve Learned | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
4:45 p.m. | Introductions | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Conducting Session | Armstrong Concert Hall |
Time | Event | Location |
9:00 a.m. | Morning Intro and Technique Session | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
9:30 a.m. | Small Group Sessions | Armstrong Concert Hall; Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
11:30 a.m. | Lunch (on your own) | |
1:00 p.m. | Conducting Session (Full Band) | Armstrong Concert Hall |
4:00 p.m. | Clinic Session: Tim Robblee – Becoming a Better Teacher of YOURSELF | Armstrong Concert Hall |
Wrap-up Discussion | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 | |
5:30 p.m. | Dinner (on your own) |
Time | Event | Location |
9:00 a.m. | Morning Intro and Technique Session | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
9:30 a.m. | Small Group Sessions | Armstrong Concert Hall & Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
11:30 a.m. | Lunch (on your own) | |
1:00 p.m. | Conducting Session (Full Band) | Armstrong Concert Hall |
4:00 p.m. | Q&A Session | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
5:00 p.m. | Break and Carpool to Dinner (provided) | Robblee Home outside Leesburg, VA |
Time | Event | Location |
8:30 a.m. | Morning Intro and Technique Session | Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
9:00 a.m. | Conducting Session (Full Band) | Armstrong Concert Hall |
12:00 p.m. | Lunch (provided) | Armstrong Hall, Lobby |
1:30 p.m. | Wrap-up Session | Lawn or Armstrong Hall, Room 39 |
3:00 p.m. | Farewells and Departure |
Frequently Asked Questions
The symposium will start on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM. We’ll have a group session to cover some tips and techniques, go over details for the week, introduce ourselves and get ready for individual conducting. We will make a list of the pieces you intend to first conduct with the full ensemble on Thursday, so please have that title and movement set in your mind when you arrive so we can collect that information. Parking is simple on campus—look for the Armstrong parking lot next door to the Brandt Student Center. Our activities will take place predominantly in Armstrong Hall.

Contact Us
Tim Robblee
Director of Bands
Associate Professor of Conducting
Shenandoah Conservatory
trobblee@su.edu
(540) 545-7227