Wind Conducting Symposium

Calling all conductors! Wind conductors from all levels of experience are welcome. The day will consist of 14 conductor sessions with our demonstration ensemble, the Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble, led by Thomas Bough, D.M.A.

You can apply to be one of the 14 active conductors or register as an observer. The conductor application deadline is Feb. 1, 2027, or until filled. Active conductors are encouraged to apply early, since these slots tend to fill up quickly. Accepted conductors will be sent a registration link upon acceptance, to secure their spot by paying the fee. Each conductor session includes feedback from our clinicians, Tom Bough and Brian Silvey. The event also includes a presentation from Thomas Bough entitled, "Internalize and Apply the Harmony Director.

Guest Clinician: Brian Silvey

Brian A. Silvey (BME, Morehead State University; MME, Wichita State University; PhD, University of Texas-Austin) is Director of Bands, Professor of Music Education, and Director of the School of Music at the University of Missouri. At Mizzou, he teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses, supervises music education doctoral students, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and provides oversight to the entire band program. Dr. Silvey has presented music education research and teacher preparation clinics at state, national, and international venues.

He is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Band Research, Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education, Research and Issues in Music Education, the Choral Conductor's Companion, and the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. A co-authored book chapter on conducting with Dr. Steven Morrison from Northwestern University was published in the Oxford Handbook of Music Performance. He currently serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Music Education, College Band Directors National Association Research Journal, and the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. Dr. Silvey is the Research Grant Chair for the American Bandmasters Association. He previously served as Editor of the National Association for Music Education journal, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education and as Editor of the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. 

His research interests include conducting expressivity and effectiveness, instrumental conducting pedagogy, the intersection of burnout, impostor phenomenon, and perfectionism, and preservice teacher preparation. While at the University of Missouri, Dr. Silvey has received the Writing Intensive Teaching Excellence Award, the School of Music Faculty Excellence Award, the Gold Chalk Award for Teaching Excellence, the College of Arts and Science Professor of the Year Award, and the William T. Kemper Award for Teaching Excellence, the highest teaching award given to faculty at MU. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award by the United States government to conduct music education research and serve as a guest instructor at the University of Melbourne Conservatory of Music in Australia during the Spring 2025 semester. In Fall 2025, Dr. Silvey was awarded the rank of Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, the most prestigious academic rank the University of Missouri System Board of Curators awards. He is an experienced events adjudicator, guest conductor, and guest clinician, having worked with bands across the United States and internationally.

Schedule

Literature

• Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst
• Minor Groove by Thomas Bough.  Grade 3.5, available from JW Pepper
• Through the Storm by JaRod Hall.  Grade 2.5, available from JW Pepper
• Where Morning Dawns, Where Evening Fades by Eric Rath.  Grade 3, JW Pepper

Conductor Application

Observer Registration

Registration Fee

Observer: $50

Active conductor: $120

Cancelation policy: Conductor registrations will be refunded if canceled prior to February 1. Observer registrations will be refunded if canceled prior to February 15. After those dates, no refunds will be issued.

Clinicians