The 2025 Young Conductors Symposium at USAO

Friday, September 19, 2025
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
Music Annex & Te Ata Auditorium

The annual YCS exists to inspire and mentor future leaders of choral and band ensembles with superior instruction and high-level musical experiences.

This free day of clinics is intended for choral and band student leaders of Oklahoma high schools and 2-year colleges. Schools are welcome to send any number of their students. Participating students will spend the day at USAO learning about all aspects of choral/band leadership from USAO Music Faculty, singing or playing with university students, and students are not required to have a background in conducting. All are welcome to engage at their level of choice.

Selected students will have the opportunity to direct and perform with the USAO Concert Choir & Concert Band in the afternoon.

*A teachers workshop is also provided free of charge to directors who attend (more info at bottom of the page)

“To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible.
To be as much as we can be, we must dream of being more.“

-Peter L. Boonshaft (41 year veteran band educator)

This inaugural year is FREE to schools by invitation only. If you wish to attend and have not previously received an invitation, please reach out to Dr. Joshua Stephen Smith to inquire about open spots and availability.

WHO: Open to all Oklahoma high school sophomores to 2-year college band or choral students (no minimum or maximum number of students; however, more than 3 students from one school requires an adult chaperone. Directors are highly encouraged to attend with students and enjoy a special workshop for teachers.

REGISTRATION OPENS: Wed, Aug 13

REGISTRATION CLOSES: Sunday, Sept 14

INCLUDES: music scores, workshop sessions with faculty, dining hall lunch

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Purpose & Goals

The symposium is designed for section leaders and future music educators as a one-day workshop with engaging sessions and hands-on instruction in conducting and ensemble leadership. All participants will receive basic conducting and score study instruction, section leader training, and play/sing with our university ensembles.

Goals: 1) to provide a positive atmosphere of growth and fun in a university-level music making experience; 2) to allow students a measure of success in acquiring necessary musical leadership skills such as: conducting, section leading, and core musicianship; and 3) to provide podium instruction in conducting to select individuals planning to pursue music studies in college

There are two tracks available to participate: high school & 2-year collegiate

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Performing Conductors

Four to six selected participants will receive additional hands-on training in front of the ensembles and perform with the ensembles at the 4:30 concert. These performers are selected by the following criteria:

High School Division

• must be nominated by your teacher
• first-come, first-served basis through registration
• only 2 choral students and 2 band students (4 total) from this division will be selected

2-Year Collegiate Division

• must submit a pre-screen video of conducting one piece (with live ensemble or to a recording)
• first-come, first-served basis through registration
• only 1 choral student and 1 band student (2 total) from this division may be selected

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Schedule

8:30 a.m.	Registration
8:45 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions
9:00 a.m.	Conducting and Gesture – Session 1 on basics
9:30 a.m.	Conducting and Gesture – Session 2 (Choral/Inst Split) & Teacher Workshop*
10:15 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m.	Score Study
11:15 a.m.	Choir rehearsal (guest conducting by participants)
12:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:30 p.m.	Section Leader Pro Tips
2:00 p.m.	Section Leader Pro Tips – Split groups
2:30 p.m.	Band rehearsal (guest conducting by participants)
3:30 p.m.	Break
3:45 p.m.	Final Dress Rehearsal
4:30 p.m.	Performance (open to public)

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Repertoire Lists

Scores are provided by USAO and will be distributed to HS participants through teacher’s email and to Comm/2-Year participants through provided email.

Choral Track

• Kia Hora Te Marino – Christopher Tin (Hal Leonard)
• Ad Astra (extended edition) – Jacob Naverud (Carl Fischer)

Band Track

• Into The Clouds! – Richard L. Saucedo (Hal Leonard)
• Song Without Words – Holst

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2025 Teachers Workshop

“Developing Leaders in the Ensemble” will be a workshop with Dr. Michael Raiber from Mustang Public Schools. He will share on the strategies, techniques, and methods of developing student leaders in our ensembles.

Dr. Raiber has presented at conferences nationally and internationally on topics ranging from music teacher identity to student leadership development. He has authored many publications. His most recent include a chapter on large ensemble leadership as youth development in Music Learning as Youth Development (2019). He also authored a chapter on developing effective dispositions for music teaching in the New Oxford Handbook on Music Teacher Education (2019). In 2022, the second edition of his – along with his co-author Dr. David Teachout – popular introduction to music education text, From Music Student to Music Teacher: A Professional Approach was published. Dr. Raiber was honored to be inducted to the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Oklahoma Music Education Association Hall of Fame in 2025.

Dr. Raiber received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Tulsa and his Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in conducting from the University of Oklahoma. He lives in Norman, Oklahoma with his wife Lisa and is the proud grandfather to Theo, Eliza, Murphy and Georgia!

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