Charlotte Band Directors Workshop and Conducting Symposium
June 15-17, 2025
Guest Clinicians:
Dr. Mallory Thompson – Northwestern University, emeritus
Lafe Cook – Dobyns-Bennett High School
UNC Charlotte is excited to offer our third annual Charlotte Band Directors Workshop and Conducting Symposium with this year’s featured guest clinicians Dr. Mallory Thompson and Lafe Cook. This event will welcome band directors and music educators from throughout the region to our beautiful campus for a weekend of conducting sessions, score study, pedagogy, and rehearsal techniques.
Participants will have the option to register as a conducting participant (limited spots) or as an observer participant. All participants will play in the workshop band and attend clinics and sessions on score study and rehearsal pedagogy. Additionally, interested high school students may participate in our new “Future Band Directors” Track.
Conducting participants will conduct the workshop band over four sessions, receiving feedback from our guest conducting clinician Dr. Mallory Thompson and UNC Charlotte’s Hunter Kopczynski and Brian Taylor while also playing in the workshop band and attending clinics, rehearsal labs, and sessions presented by Dr. Thompson, Mr. Cook, as well as UNC Charlotte’s Department of Music faculty.
Observer participants are encouraged to play in the workshop band, observe the conducting rounds, and attend clinics and sessions.
Clinicians:
Dr. Mallory Thompson – Director of Bands Emeritus | Northwestern University
Lafe Cook – Director of Bands | Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, TN
Dr. Hunter Kopczynski – Director of Bands, UNC Charlotte
Dr. Brian Taylor – Associate Director of Bands, UNC Charlotte
Repertoire
Repertoire will be announced in early spring 2025.
Tentative Schedule
Sunday, June 15
9:30 – Registration
9:45 – Introductions
10:00 – Session 1 – Movement
11:00 – Conducting Round 1
12:30 – Lunch
2:00 – Session 2 – Rehearsal Planning
3:00 – Conducting Round 2
5:30 – Session 3 – Rehearsal Strategies
6:30 – Dinner
Monday, June 16
8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Session 4 – Rehearsal Lab
10:00 – Conducting Round 3
1:00 – Lunch
2:30 – Session 5 – Building Great Bands
3:30 – Chamber Conducting Round 4
6:30 – Dinner
Tuesday, June 17
8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Conducting Round 5
12:00 – Wrap Up
INTERESTED?
Pre-register here to receive first notification when registration opens!
Registration: Registration will be linked HERE by the end of January.
Complete the linked form to register and pay the $50 deposit.
Conducting Participants $250 (limited number of slots)
Observer Participants $85
Once registration closes, we’ll send a notice for the remaining registration tuition ($200 for conducting participants and $35 for other participants).