2023 Summer Conducting Symposium

July 10, 11, 12, 2023

9 am - 4 pm daily

Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center

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Seton Hill University is proud to host its inaugural Summer Wind Band Conducting Symposium with special guest Dr. Patricia Cornett, Director of Bands at Temple University. Join music educators from around the Western PA area and beyond for our three-day event filled with professional development and music-making. The workshop is designed for band directors at all stages of their careers to develop their conducting and teaching skills.

We are pleased to offer two tracks for participation: Full Participant (Max. 10) and Auditor (no limit). Full Participants will engage in all clinics and conduct several pieces with the Westmoreland Symphonic Winds (WSW). Full participants are expected to perform with the WSW while others conduct the ensemble. Auditor will participate in all clinics and observe/perform with the ensemble during the symposium. The auditor option is designed for any conductor interested in learning more about technique and teaching, without the pressure of preparing scores.

Conducting repertoire (to be announced at a later date) will represent standard works from a variety of grade levels. Daily clinics will address topics such as rehearsal techniques, literature and programming, conducting technique, and continued musical growth.

Fees:

$450 Full Participant Fee (Conducts the large ensemble twice per day, participates in all clinics)
$150 Auditor Fee (Observes and/or plays in large ensemble, participates in all clinics.)

Daily Schedule:

9 am - Clinic
10 am - Large Ensemble Conducting Session
noon - Meal (Included)
1 pm - Clinic
2 pm - Large Ensemble Conducting Session
4 pm - end

Act 48 Credit available

Deadline to register: June 30th, 2023

Click here to register!

Clinicians 

Dr. Trish Cornet, Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Bands, Temple University

Patricia Cornett is the Director of Bands at Temple University where she conducts the Wind Symphony and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. Prior to joining the faculty at Temple, she was Director of Bands at Cal State Fullerton where she conducted the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, and taught courses in conducting and music education. Dr. Cornett was also a high school band director for five years in New England. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and Bachelor of Music dual degree in music education and saxophone performance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Prof. Kathleen Campbell - Professor of Music, Seton Hill University

Kathleen M. Campbell is Professor of Music at Seton Hill University where she teaches woodwind chamber ensembles, aural theory, keyboard strategies and saxophone. She was the founder of the Westmoreland Symphonic Winds, a wind and percussion performance and educational organization consisting of professional musicians from southwestern Pennsylvania and music students from Seton Hill University and served as its music director and conductor from 1985 - 2008. In addition, she was the founding director of the Seton Hill University Community Arts Program Youth Honors Band which has served middle school music students for over 30 years. An active member of the National Association for Music Education, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the Westmoreland County Music Educators Association, Ms. Campbell also served on the Arts in Education committee of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust from 1998-2008. Kathleen Campbell is a graduate of Seton Hill University and holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music where she was assistant director of bands under Dr. Terrence Milligan. Ms. Campbell was the recipient of the "Lifetime Achievement in the Arts" award given by the Greensburg Area Cultural Council (now the Westmoreland Cultural Trust) and was also awarded the CASE “Professor of the Year” at Seton Hill University

Dr. Chris Marra - Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Activities, Seton Hill University

Dr. Christopher M. Marra is currently the Director of Instrumental Activities at Seton Hill University. As a part of his duties, Dr. Marra conducts the Westmoreland Symphonic Winds, the Griffin concert band, and teaches courses in music education, conducting, and brass. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University, a MM in Music Education with an emphasis in wind band conducting from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in wind band conducting from the University of Michigan. Prior to his university teaching, Dr. Marra taught high school band and orchestra for 10 years in San Jose, CA where he held board positions with the CMEA Bay Section and the California Band Directors Association. He is an active member and presenter at a variety of state, national, and international education organizations including: National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), Michigan Music Educators Association (MMEA), Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA), and California Band Directors Association (CBDA), and American Educational Research Association (AERA). Dr. Marra authored and co-authored several articles in the field of music education and has been published in the Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME), the Journal of Music Teacher Education (JMTE), and the Music Educator’s Journal (MEJ). He is a contributing author to chapters in The Oxford Handbook of Preservice Music Teacher Education and Critical Issues in Music Education: Contemporary Theory and Practice both published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Marra is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for several state and national organizations including Drum Corps International (DCI). His research interests include: social influence in music education, music teacher retention, and undergraduate teacher preparation.

For questions, contact Michelle Walters, Director of Community Relations for the School of Visual and Performing Arts walters@setonhill.edu