Registration is open for the 2025 Symposium! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptances are offered until capacity is filled. This event typically fills quickly, so apply today for best consideration!
See below for details about this year's event. Can you also click here to see photos from our incredible 2024 event!
2024 Participants at the Dillingham Fountains
The IC Wind Conducting Symposium helps attendees improve techniques for conducting and rehearsing and explores other relevant topics of interest to the wind band conductor and music educator. Participants receive significant conducting time in full ensemble and small group environments and enjoy fundamentals sessions and robust discussion. Uniquely among symposia nationally, we collaborate with our Theater and Dance faculty to explore movement through their expert perspective. All of this is enjoyed in close proximity to the hundreds of gorgeous waterfalls during our picturesque summer.
Mallory Thompson is the director of bands emeritus, professor of music emeritus, and former coordinator of the conducting program at Northwestern University, where she held the John W. Beattie Chair of Music. In 2003 she was named a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence. As only the third person in the university's history to hold the director of bands position, Thompson conducted the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, taught undergraduate and graduate conducting, and administered all aspects of the band program.
Mallory Thompson, director of bands emeritus from Northwestern University, is an internationally recognized conducting pedagogue.
Daniel Cook, Ithaca College Director of Bands, conducts the renowned IC Wind Ensemble and teaches conducting & music ed. courses.
Aimee Rials is a choreographer, performer, and educator. Her work blends emotional and physical concepts into movement.
Priscilla Hummel, Assistant Professor of Acting, is a producer, director, choreographer, and educator.
Benjamin Rochford, Associate Director of Bands, conducts the IC Concert Band and teaches courses in the music ed. curriculum.
Catherine Weidner, Professor of Theater and Dance Performance, is a teacher, director and actor.
Ithaca College Campus, overlooking Cayuga Lake.
The Ithaca College Northeast Wind Conducting Symposium has existed for more than 20 years and has benefited hundreds of conductors and music educators.
Past guest clinicians have included Frank Battisti, Richard Clary, James Croft, Jason Fettig, Richard Floyd, Arnald Gabriel, Priscilla Hummel, Jerry Junkin, Craig Kirchhoff, Tom Lee, Anthony Maiello, Allan McMurray, Steve Peterson, Aimee Rials, H. Robert Reynolds, Mallory Thompson, Catherine Weidner, and John Whitwell.
Guest clinicians work along with Daniel Cook, Ithaca College Director of Bands. Together, these conductor/teachers lead conducting feedback sessions, presentation sessions, and discussions about topics of interest to wind conductors at all levels including repertoire, rehearsal techniques, national standards, score study, and ideas for philosophical and musical growth.
The following is a tentative schedule as of November 2024 and may change slightly as the workshop approaches:
Monday, July 7, 2025
10:30-10:55 am – Registration and Check-In (4th Floor Atrium – McHenry Lobby)
11:00-11:45 am – Opening Session Clinic Session with Dr. Cook (Nabenhauer Recital Room)
11:45-12:30 pm – Opening Session Clinic Session with Dr. Thompson (Nabenhauer Recital Room)
12:30-2:00 pm – Lunch (On your own - Campus Center or Downtown Ithaca)
2:00-3:00 pm – Rehearsal Demonstration Lab (Ford Hall)
3:00-3:15 pm – Break
3:15-4:45 – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford Hall)
4:45-5:00 pm – Break, Transition
5:15-5:45 pm – Q&A, debrief, frame tomorrow’s activities (Nabenhauer Recital Room)
6:00 pm – Dinner / Social Outing (TBA)
Tuesday-Thursday, July 8-10, 2025
8:00 am – Coffee and continental breakfast are set in Nabenhauer
8:30-9:00 am – Movement fundamentals, discuss goal setting for the day (Nabenhauer Recital Room)
9:00-10:00 am – Clinic Session from Music, Theatre, and Dance faculty (Nabenhauer Recital Room)
10:00-10:15 am – Break, Transition
10:15 am-11:45 am – Small Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford, Nabenhauer, Iger)
11:45-1:15 pm – Lunch (On your own - Campus Center or Downtown Ithaca)
1:15-3:15 – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Tues. & Wed. in Ford; Thurs. in Presser)
3:15-3:30 pm – Break
3:30-4:45 pm – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions Continue (Tues. & Wed. in Ford; Thurs. in Presser)
4:45-5:00 pm – Break, Transition
5:00-5:30 pm – Discussion, debrief of the day, Q&A (Nabenhauer Recital Room)
6:00 pm – Optional Dinner / Social Outing (TBA)
Friday, July 11, 2025
8:00 am – Coffee and light pastries are set in Nabenhauer
8:30-10:15 am – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford Hall)
10:15-10:30 am – Break
10:30 am-11:45 pm – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford Hall)
11:45-12:45 pm – Lunch (Dillingham Fountain Area or McHenry Lobby in case of rain)
12:45-1:15 pm – Final Debrief, Farewell, Photos (Dillingham Fountain Area or Nabenhauer Recital Room)
Participants – $625 | Auditors – $325
Register before Feb. 1 for the 'early applicant special.' Rates increase after this!
Participants receive a comprehensive experience and participate in all sessions fully. This track is limited to 24 individuals and filled on a rolling basis.
Auditors attend and benefit educationally from all sessions. These individuals do conduct in the small group settings, movement sessions, fundamentals sessions, etc. but do not conduct in the full ensemble setting. This track is limited to 6 individuals.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Those admitted will be emailed by Dr. Cook confirming acceptance with a link to continue with the payment process. Once your payment is processed, you will receive confirmation of your participation in the Symposium.
Ithaca College is an Institute of Higher Education authorized to offer CTLE credit to teachers who attend Ithaca College-sponsored professional development activities that meet the requirements for CTLE credit under Subpart 80-6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. This credit may be used for certificate/licensure renewal.
This credit comes at no additional cost to attendees (regardless of track - participants and auditors).
More information will be distributed to those music educators interested in utilizing this workshop for credit.
The following is the repertoire list from 2024. We will refresh this with 2025 repertoire closer to the workshop date!
| Composer | Title | Grade |
| Hailstork, Adolphus | New Wade’n Water | 2 |
| Nishimura, Cait | Chasing Sunlight | 2 |
| Salfelder, Kathryn | Reminiscence | 2 |
| Carter, Charles | Overture for Winds | 3 |
| Copley, Katahj | Halcyon Hearts | 3 |
| Hanson, Shelley | Elegy for Albinoni | 3 |
| Thomas, Omar | Shenandoah | 3 |
| Grainger, Percy (ed. Rogers) | Irish Tune from County Derry | 4 |
| Vinson, Johnnie | Echoes of the Hollow Square (Any Mvt) | 4 |
| Wilson, Dana | Shortcut Home | 4 |
| Giroux, Julie | The Ash Grove | 5 |
| Holst, Gustav (ed. Matthews) | Second Suite in F (Mvt 2, 3) | 5 |
| Holst, Gustav (ed. Matthews) | First Suite in E-flat (Mvt 1) | 5 |
| Persichetti, Vincent | Pageant | 5 |
| Grainger, Percy (ed. Fennell/Rogers) | Lincolnshire Posy (Mvt 1, 2, 5) | 6 |
| Milhaud, Darius | Suite Francaise (1, 4, 5) | 6 |
The ensemble will consist of all of the participating conductors and observers, augmented by Ithaca College performers. We recognize that you may have 'band director chops' - and that is ok! This is why we supplement the ensemble. Regardless, playing in the ensemble is an important part of your growth. By observing your fellow conductors as you are performing for them, you make connections regarding what 'works,' which is very valuable when it is your time to take the podium.
Travel Information
We have gathered resources to assist you as you plan your travels. For anyone looking for even more information, we recommend you check the Visit Ithaca website (https://www.visitithaca.com/)
Housing
On-Campus Accommodations
Participants are welcome to stay on campus in Emerson Hall. This is a convenient and very cost-effective option, being both walking distance to all our activities and significantly cheaper than hotels or Airbnbs. The 2024 rate is $75/night, which already includes all processing fees, for a double room. Participants can choose to occupy their room alone (a single person simply occupying a double room) or even split the room with another conducting roommate, effectively halving the cost. Photos and descriptions of the rooms can be found at this link. Each room has a private bathroom. https://www.ithaca.edu/residential-life/living-campus/residence-halls/emerson-hall
Off-Campus Accommodations
Those interested in the full Ithaca experience may consider booking a hotel on “The Commons,” our ‘downtown area.’ It is full of lovely restaurants and bars for your evening exploration. Some of our favorites are The Hotel Ithaca, The Ithaca Marriott Downtown, The Canopy, and the Hilton Garden Inn. More economical options can be found a little further away from downtown west, or down south by the Trader Joe’s. Of course, you are welcome to explore Airbnb options, as well.
Airports
Travelers flying to Ithaca will have three choices: Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, the nearby Elmira Corning Airport, and the larger Syracuse Hancock International Airport located about 70 minutes from Ithaca. We encourage you to compare prices and flight availability at all three facilities to see what best suits your budget and schedule.
Buses
For those attendees who wish to travel by bus Our Bus, Greyhound, and Shortline/Coach USA operate buses into Ithaca from a variety of cities, including daily service to/from NYC.
Ground Transportation
A variety of vehicle rentals, taxis and shuttles are available while in town. Vehicle rental companies include Avis (607) 257-0456, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (607) 275-9000, Hertz (607) 257-8677, National Car Rental (607) 272-2575, and Budget Car Rental (607) 257-1780. Taxi and ride share companies include Collegetown Cab (607) 588-8888, Ithaca Dispatch (607) 277-8234, Executive Limousine & Sedan (607) 753-9180, Uber, and Lyft.
Of course! As we get closer to the Symposium, we will put out a voluntary form (not required at all) to ask if you would like us to share your contact information with the other participants to arrange accommodations like this.
Please contact Dr. Daniel Cook, Director of Bands and Symposium Director.