Charlotte Band Directors Workshop and Conducting Symposium 

June 14-16, 2026

Guest Clinicians:

Travis J. Cross – University of California, Los Angeles

Alfred Watkins – Lassiter High School, retired

UNC Charlotte is excited to offer our fourth annual Charlotte Band Directors Workshop and Conducting Symposium with this year’s featured guest clinicians Dr. Travis Cross and Alfred Watkins. 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 the “Future Band Directors” Track. 

Conducting participants will conduct the workshop band over four sessions, receiving feedback from our guest conducting clinician Dr. Travis Cross 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 our clinicians 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

Travis J. Cross – Director of Bands | UCLA

Alfred Watkins – Director of Bands, retired | Lassiter High School, Marietta, GA

Hunter Kopczynski – Director of Bands | UNC Charlotte
Brian Taylor – Associate Director of Bands | UNC Charlotte

Repertoire

Repertoire will be announced in early spring 2026. 

Tentative Schedule 
Sunday, June 14 
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 15
8:30 – Continental Breakfast 
9:00 – Session 4 – Rehearsal Lab
10:00 – Conducting Round 3
1:00 – Lunch 
2:30 – Session 5 – Clinicians Session
3:30 – Chamber Conducting Round 4
6:30 – Dinner 

Tuesday, June 16
8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Conducting Round 5
1:00 – 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 $275 (limited number of slots)
Observer Participants $85
Once registration closes, we’ll send a notice for the remaining registration tuition ($225 for conducting participants and $35 for other participants).