San José Wind Conducting Symposium

SJCWS Logo headerSAVE THE DATES!  The SECOND Annual San José Wind Conducting Symposium is happening June 24-28, 2024!  

Join us this summer in the heart of Silicon Valley for the second annual San José Wind Conducting Symposium! This workshop is designed for wind band teachers of all levels and offers participants ample podium time with full wind ensemble and chamber winds in addition to extensive conducting and movement training with world-renowned guest artists and Laban/Bartentieff educators.

Guest Artist Faculty 2024

Robert Taylor is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, where he conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting, and serves as Chair of the Woodwind Brass and Percussion Division. With a career in music education spanning over twenty-five years, previous appointments include the University of Puget Sound in the state of Washington and Eureka High School in northern California, where ensembles under his direction earned recognition by Downbeat Magazine, the Selmer Corporation, and Grammy Signature Schools.

Dr. Taylor received the Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in conducting from Northwestern University and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Trumpet and Music Education from Humboldt State University. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, with past engagements including performances with the Vancouver Brass Orchestra, Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and Chicago-based contemporary music group, the Maverick Ensemble, in addition to collaborations with a wide range of international artists—from brass virtuosi Allen Vizzutti, Gail Williams, Jeff Nelsen, and Daniel Perantoni; to composers Jodie Blackshaw, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Cait Nishimura, Joel Puckett, Alex Shapiro, Frank Ticheli, and Dana Wilson; to jazz and pop performers Ingrid Jensen, Manhattan Transfer, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. As a passionate advocate of music in the schools, Dr. Taylor is in high demand as a festival adjudicator, rehearsal clinician, and guest conductor throughout North America and internationally.

Alexandra BellerAlexandra Beller choreographed “Sense and Sensibility” (Sheen Center, Judson Gym, Folger Shakespeare Library, American Repertory Theater, Portland Center Stage), (Helen Hayes Award, Lortel Nomination, IRNE Best Choreography), the Off Broadway musical, “The Mad Ones” (59E59), Bedlam’s “Peter Pan” (Duke Theater), “Two Gentlemen of Verona” (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), “As You Like It” (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Folger Shakespeare Library), “How to transcend a happy marriage” by Sarah Ruhl (Lincoln Center Theater), “Pride and Prejudice (Dorset Theater Festival, Actor’s Shakespeare Project), “Antonio’s Song” (CATF, Milwaukee Rep, Goodman), “Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes)” (La MaMa/La Jolla/touring), Directing/Choreographing “Make Thick My Blood,” a two-person adaptation of Macbeth (Theater Row), and A Midsummer NIght’s Dream (Folger Shakespeare Library at The National Building Museum, DC). 

Her international performance career includes 7 years with the Bill. T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, projects with Martha Clarke, John Turturro, and others. Alexandra Beller/Dances formed in 2001 and she has created over 40 original Dance Theater works, for her own and other companies. Her choreography has been presented at theaters throughout the US and in Korea, Hong Kong, Oslo, Cyprus, St. Petersburg, and Poland.

Alexandra holds a BFA/Dance (University of MI), MFA/Dance (University of WI at Milwaukee), and CMA (Certified Movement Analyst) in Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals (LIMS).  She is on faculty at Princeton University, Rutgers University, and The Laban/Bartenieff Institute for Movement Studies, and guest teaches nationally and internationally. 

Upcoming projects include “Let The Right One In” at Boston University with Actor’s Shakespeare Project, “Antonio’s Song” at The Goodman (Chicago), a workshop of “Perfect World” (Director: Karen Carpenter), and a devised adaptation of “Waiting for Godot” (Alexandra Beller/Dances).

She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and two kids, is writing a book, studying guitar and is currently training in Intimacy Direction with TIE.

SJSU Bands Conducting Faculty

David Vickerman

Craig McKenzie

Costs/Offerings

All of the following offerings include:

  • access to conducting observation in both wind ensemble and chamber wind sessions
  • movement classes
  • lecture/discussion sessions
  • 2024 SJWCS T-Shirt

PARTICIPANT = $600 (18 spots)

  • 4 podium experiences (3 with symposium wind band, 1 with chamber winds)
  • Feedback from our symposium guest artists and SJSU Bands conducting faculty
  • Video footage of your conducting

Observer = $300 (Unlimited spots)
Conducting Workshop observation.  Observers are expected to perform on their primary instrument during the workshop.

  • 2023 SJWCS T-Shirt

College Student Fellowship = $200
This program will enable up to 4 undergraduate student conductors to attend at a significantly reduced cost. This will provide an introduction to the conducting workshop experience and invaluable opportunities to network with more experienced teachers.

Undergraduate Fellowship Participants will receive:

  • 1 podium experience: conducting the chamber winds
  • 2024 SJWCS T-Shirt

Students interested in this program should ask their college band director or conducting teacher to email a brief letter of recommendation for their participation to Dr. David Vickerman. Applications will be reviewed on the same timeline as the other full applications.

Registration for the Symposium


2024 Registration Form (not available yet)

Deadlines:

  • Participant Level: April 1, 2024
  • Observer Level: June 1, 2024

 

Housing


More information on housing options soon!  

2024 Repertoire - TBA

Questions?

Please email, conducting SJSU Bands graduate assistant: Mark Lee