The 2026 Young Conductors Symposium at USAO

**Monday, September 28, 2026 ** DATE CHANGE

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)

WHO: Open to all Oklahoma high school freshman 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 20

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
• If nominations exceed the available slots, a pre-screening may be required (instructions sent out prior to event)
• Only 2 choral students and 2 band students (4 total) from this division will be selected

2-Year Collegiate Division

• First-come, first-served basis through registration
• If nominations exceed the available slots, a pre-screening may be required (instructions sent out prior to event)
• 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 (Year 1 & Year 2 split) & Teacher Workshop*
10:15 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m.	Score Study
11:15 a.m.	Choir Rehearsal/Band Coaching (conducting by participants)
12:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:30 p.m.	Becoming a Teacher with Dr. Sarah Layman
2:00 p.m.	Section Leader Pro Tips
2:30 p.m.	Band Rehearsal/Choral Coaching (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

• Star Spangled Banner, arr. Russell Robinson
• Kyrie from Mondsheinsonate – Beethoven, arr. Gottleib Benedict Bierey
• Duermate – Juanpablo Alvarez-Pinedo (self-published)

Band Track

• Amparito Roca, Texidor arr by Fagan
• Lincolnshire Posy, arr.
• Pictures of an Exhibition, arr.

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2026 Teachers Workshop

Our FREE teachers workshop will be a workshop with Dr. Michael Raiber from Mustang Public Schools.

In addition to his degrees from University of Tulsa and The University of Oklahoma, 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. He lives in Norman, Oklahoma with his wife Lisa and is the proud grandfather to Theo, Eliza, Murphy and Georgia!

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