Registration is open for our July 6-10, 2026 Symposium! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptances are offered until capacity is filled.
More details can be found below. You can also click here to see photos from our incredible 2024 and 2025 events!
2025 Participants overlooking Cayuga Lake
The IC Wind Conducting Symposium helps attendees improve techniques for conducting and rehearsing while exploring 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 with additional fundamentals sessions and robust discussion. Unique 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.
Rodney Dorsey is Professor of Music at the Florida State University College of Music where he conducts the FSU Wind Orchestra and guides the graduate wind conducting program. Dorsey comes to FSU from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he conducted the IU Wind Ensemble and taught graduate conducting courses. Prior to his tenure at the Jacobs School, Dorsey served on the faculties of the University of Oregon, University of Michigan, DePaul University, and Northwestern University. He also gained extensive experience teaching in the public schools of Florida and Georgia.
Rodney Dorsey, Professor of Music at Florida State 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.
Daniel Gwirtzman is a choreographer, performer, and educator. Daniel has toured and internationally with concert dance companies.
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 alongside 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.
This schedule is tentative and may vary as we learn about the goals of our 2026 conducting applicants, but it provides a good model for the slate of activities we will offer:
Monday, July 6, 2026
10:30-10:55 am – Registration and check in (4th Floor Atrium – McHenry Lobby)
11:00 am-12:30 pm – Opening Session Clinic Sessions with Dr. Cook & Dr. Dorsey (Ford Hall)
12:30-2:00 pm – Lunch (On your own - Campus Center or Downtown Ithaca)
2:00-3:00 pm – Rehearsal Techniques Demonstration Lab (Ford Hall)
3:00-3:15 pm – Break
3:15-4:45 pm – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford Hall)
4:45-5:00 pm – Break, transition
5:00-5:30 pm – Q&A, debrief, frame tomorrow’s activities (Nabenhauer)
6:00 pm – Optional Group Dinner / Social Outing
Tuesday-Thursday, July 7-9, 2026
Starting at 8:00 am – Coffee and light pastries are set in Hockett Green Room (HGR)
8:30-9:00 am – Movement fundamentals, goal setting for the day (Hockett)
9:00-10:00 am – Clinic Session from Music, Theater, Dance faculty (Hockett and HGR)
10:00-10:15 am – Break, transition
10:15-11:45 am – Small Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford, Iger, HGR)
11:45 am-1:15 pm – Lunch (On your own - Campus Center or Downtown Ithaca)
1:15-3:15 pm – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Tues. & Wed. in Ford; Thurs. in Presser)
3:15-3:30 pm – Break
3:30-5:00 pm – Large Ensemble Sessions Continue (Tues. & Wed. in Ford; Thurs. in Presser)
5:00-5:15 pm – Break, transition
5:15-5:45 pm – Discussion, debrief of the day, Q&A (Nabenhauer)
6:00 pm – Optional Group Dinner / Social Outing
Friday, July 10, 2026
Starting at 8:00 am – Coffee and light pastries are set in Hockett Green Room
8:30-10:15 am – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford Hall)
10:15-10:30 am – Break
10:30-11:45 am – Large Ensemble Conducting Sessions (Ford Hall)
11:45 am-12:00 pm – Break, Transition
12:00-12:45 pm – Lunch (Food served in Dillingham Lobby, eat by Fountains)
12:45-1:30 pm – Final Debrief, Photos, Farewells (Dillingham Lobby)
Evening – Optional outing at the Hangar Theater
Participants – $635 | Auditors – $335 | Observers – $100
Participants receive a comprehensive experience and participate in all large ensemble, small ensemble, discussion, fundamentals, and group sessions fully. This track is limited to 24 individuals.
Auditors attend seminars, discussions, group activities, 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.
Observers will have access to all seminars, discussions, and group activities, but receive no podium time. Many pre-professional teachers and first-time attendees choose this option, as well as experienced teachers who wish to engage with the content and support the growth of their colleagues without having to take a turn on the podium. There is no limit to this track.
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 list is our repertoire from 2025. The repertoire for 2026 will be determined in the spring.
| Composer | Title | Grade |
| Hailstork, Adolphus | New Wade’n Water | 2 |
| Nishimura, Cait | Chasing Sunlight | 2 |
| Salfelder, Kathryn | Reminiscence | 2 |
| Chen Yi | Spring Festival | 3 |
| Copley, Katahj | Infinity | 3 |
| Hanson, Shelley | Elegy for Albinoni | 3 |
| Vaughan Williams, Ralph (arr. Beeler) | Rhosymedre | 3 |
| Giroux, Julie | Our Cast Aways | 4 |
| Ticheli, Frank | Cajun Folk Songs | 4 |
| Wilson, Dana | Shortcut Home | 4 |
| Holst, Gustav (ed. Matthews) | First Suite in E-flat (All) | 5 |
| Holst, Gustav (ed. Matthews) | Second Suite in F (Mvt 2, 3 only) | 5 |
| Milburn, Dwayne | American Hymnsong Suite (All) | 5 |
| Persichetti, Vincent | Divertimento for Band (All) | 5 |
| Grainger, Percy (ed. Fennell/Rogers) | Lincolnshire Posy (Mvt 1, 2, 5 only) | 6 |
| Milhaud, Darius | Suite Francaise (Mvt 1, 4, 5 only) | 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 2025 rate was $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.