Highlights from our Band Director Workshop! Summer 2024 %

This summer, VanderCook College of Music hosted an on campus Band Director Workshop led by Alex Kaminsky, Director of Bands, and Stacey Dolan, Associate Director of Bands. We hosted Brian Balmages (Alfred Music) and Scott Rush (Habits Series) for a weekend of clinics that explored effective rehearsal techniques, focusing on enhancing ensemble sonority, improving ensemble intonation, refining communication through conducting, and exploring new music. We asked participants to describe their favorite activities and something new they learned that they can immediately apply in their music classrooms.

Not only did this workshop reinforce some of the good teaching in my program, but it also gave me new ideas on how to approach topics that I needed to improve upon in my teaching. I learned of a few new composers, new breathing and instrument-specific techniques, and new ways of teaching familiar concepts.

The various voices helped keep me activated over the 4 days. Having 7 different "presenters" throughout the weekend, as well as the ability to watch them work with the grad band/conductors, kept it moving and fresh throughout.

A lot of these exercises will immediately be incorporated into my daily routine. I plan to incorporate the Habits green book into my beginners class. I’m excited, in particular, to see how the addition of breathing and singing exercises will improve the overall sound of the band.

I was not expecting to become so close to the other directors in the workshop! I have never experienced camaraderie like that after only being together for a few days. I loved learning about how other states' education systems differ from those in OH. I also did not expect to pick up as many ideas for conducting to try out as I did.