UMass Conducting Institute – deadline approching

Application Deadline – Sunday, May 15

2016 UMass Conducting Institute: Wednesday, July 27 – Saturday, July 30

For four days this summer, join conductors Tony Thornton and Stephen Paparo for daily conducting master classes, seminars, and discussions to hone your conducting skills with both choral and instrumental ensembles. Public and private school music educators, church and community choir conductors, and graduate-student conductors are invited to apply for one of the 8 Institute Conducting Fellow positions. Undergraduate students who have completed two semesters of conducting study may apply. Those wishing to attend the Institute as an auditor/observer may do so for a reduced fee.

• Generous podium time in front of the Institute choral ensemble
(approximately 90 minutes!)
• Conducting fellows will receive 2 private conducting lessons
• Work with our resident string quartet
• Improve and build your gestural vocabulary
• Learn to apply musical analysis (historical, structural, and vocal)
directly to your conducting technique
• Explore effective rehearsal techniques and warm-ups
• Learn group vocal techniques to develop a beautiful and stylistically
appropriate ensemble sound
• Feldenkrais for Conductors with Dr. Stephen Paparo
• Network with colleagues

Music educators in Massachusetts will receive Professional Development Points (PDPs) for their participation. Graduate credit is available ($145 for one credit; $245 for two credits) through UMass Continuing Education.

Email Tony Thornton at for more information or visit the website: http://blogs.umass.edu/choirs/2016-umass-conducting-institute/

Early registration is recommended. Enrollment is open now and will close Sunday, May 15.