2026 Summer Orchestra Directors Symposium

2026 Summer Orchestra Directors Symposium
Event Dates: June 8-11, 2026
 
The Kennesaw State University Bailey School of Music is pleased to announce the 2026 Summer Orchestra Directors Symposium! This four-day event offers an immersive professional development experience focused on conducting and designed specifically for both middle and high school orchestra directors. Each afternoon will be devoted to physical conducting technique. Conducting Participants will receive a total of at least 45 minutes of podium time over the course of the event, conducting the symposium lab orchestra under the guidance of Dr. Raphael Jiménez-Director of Orchestras & Ruth Strickland Gardner Professor of Conducting at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music-and KSU Director of Orchestral Studies, Dr. Nathaniel F. Parker. In addition to their podium time, Conducting Participants will also receive high-quality video recordings of their conducting sessions and one-on-one follow-up sessions with Dr. Jiménez and Dr. Parker. Each morning features engaging sessions on a variety of conducting-related topics, including score study, programming, rehearsal techniques, and wellness in the orchestra classroom, led by Dr. Jiménez, Dr. Parker, and other distinguished members of the Bailey School of Music faculty. Registration fees for all participation levels include admission to all morning and afternoon sessions, lunches Monday and Wednesday, and evening "happy hour" meals also on Monday and Wednesday. All participants will also serve as members of the symposium lab orchestra.

Conducting Participants: Each Conducting Participant will have three conducting sessions with the lab orchestra. Conducting Participants will choose the piece/movement they would like to conduct for each of the three sessions. (Note: You may choose a different piece/movement for each of your three sessions or repeat the same piece in multiple sessions. Conducting Participants are encouraged to select repertoire that they have or may conduct with their own school orchestras.)  Conducting Participants will have the opportunity to confirm or change their repertoire selections before the event.
 
Symposium Repertoire to include:
Balmages: Burst! (GMEA Grade 2)
Caponegro: Fiddling A-Round (GMEA Grade 2)
Del Borgo: Fantasia for Strings (GMEA Grade 3)
Price/Dee: Adoration (GMEA Grade 3)
Leyden: Serenade for String Orchestra (all movements) (GMEA Grade 4)
Mosier: The Dance of Iscariot (GMEA Grade 4)
Newbold: Lion City (GMEA Grade 4)
Bologne/Bukin: Allegro Presto from Symphony No. 2 (GMEA Grade 5)
Warlock: Capriol Suite (all movements) (GMEA Grade 5)
Still: Danzas de Panama (all movements) (GMEA Grade 6)
Dello Joio: Choreography (all movements) (GMEA Grade 6)


Participation Levels & Registration Fees:
Conducting Participant: $450.00 (limited to 15 participants)
Registration Deadline: March 31, 2026

Non-Conducting Participant: $195.00
Registration Deadline: May 30, 2026

University Student Auditor (must be 18 or older): $95.00
Registration Deadline: May 30, 2026

For more information
https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/music/community-programs/clinics-workshops/summer-orchestra-directors-symposium.php