Ball State Bands Conducting Workshop

February 14-15, 2026

 

Featured Clinician

 

Dr. Russel Mikkelson

Director of University Bands, The Ohio State University


ACTIVITIES

  • Option to conduct the Ball State Wind Ensemble in Concert! See "Conductor - Audition Track" below to apply.
  • Option to receive a conducting lesson with our featured clinician! See "Conductor - Audition Track" below to apply.
  • Conduct the Ball State University Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony in beautiful Sursa Hall in a workshop setting.
  • Work and collaborate with outstanding conductors and educators.
  • Attend an open rehearsal with renowned conductors and composers.
  • Participate in discussions dealing with repertoire, score study, rehearsal techniques, conducting technique, gesture and movement, and personal growth.
  • Attend a performance by the Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony

PARTICIPATION TRACKS

Conductor - Auditioned Track: $300
Includes Saturday & Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.

  • One auditionee will earn the opportunity to conduct the Ball State University Wind Ensemble in Concert! This person will also earn a conducting lesson with our featured clinician.
  • Two additional auditionees will earn the opportunity to have a conducting lesson with our featured clinician.
  • To apply: submit resume and link to a 10-minute conducting video (front view) to bands@bsu.edu with the subject line "Conducting Workshop Audition". Performance or rehearsal video is acceptable.
  • Applications due by Friday, January 23, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their status by January 30, 2026.
  • Those not selected for the Auditioned Track will be automatically placed in the Participant Track
  • Participants in this track will receive video recordings of the concert and clinic sessions from the conductor's front view

Conductor - Participant Track: $300
Includes Saturday & Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.

  • Participants will conduct the Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony in a workshop setting (approximately 15-20 minutes with each band).
  • Receive on-the-spot feedback from the clinicians.
  • There is a limit of 10 conductors. Conductors will be selected in the order that their enrollment fee is received. Positions fill quickly.
  • No audition video required.
  • Participants in this track will receive video recordings of the clinic sessions from the conductor's front view

Observer: $75
Includes Saturday & Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.

  • Observe the conducting sessions.
  • Participate in the afternoon lecture and discussion session.
  • There is no limit to the number of people in the observer track.

College Student: Register as an Observer at the discounted rate of $35.
Includes Saturday & Sunday continental breakfast and lunch.

  • Observe the conducting sessions.
  • Participate in the afternoon lecture and discussion session.

REGISTRATION

To Register and submit payment, please fill out this form:

REGISTER & SUBMIT PAYMENT 

REPERTOIRE SELECTION

After completing the registration form, please use this form to select repertoire:

REPERTOIRE SELECTION FORM

Repertoire selection is based on your preferences and the choices of the other participants.  We ask you select your top three preferred works and we will notify you of the final selections by January 30, 2026.

Ball State Wind Symphony (Sunday)

  • Malcolm Arnold - Four Scottish Dances
  • James Barnes - Yorkshire Ballad
  • John Mackey - Undertow
  • Vincent Persichetti - Pageant

Ball State Wind Ensemble (Saturday)

  • Gustav Holst/Matthews - Second Suite in F
  • Timothy Mahr - Fantasia in G
  • Hugh Stuart - Three Ayres from Gloucester
  • Jay Dawson - By Dawn's Early Light
  • Carol Brittin Chambers - Fanfare Esprit

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Friday (Optional Rehearsal Attendance)

  • 7:00p.m. - 10:15 p.m. – Open Rehearsal with Ball State Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble with Guest Clinician and Selected Auditionee (Sursa Hall)

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. – Welcome and Continental Breakfast (Hahn Hall)
  • 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. – Conducting Session with Wind Ensemble (Sursa Hall)
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – Wind Ensemble open rehearsal
  • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Lunch (Provided)
  • 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Lecture/Discussion Sessions (Band Room, MIB Room 152)
  • 7:30 p.m. – Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony Concert Performance (Sursa Hall)

Sunday

  • 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Conducting Session with Wind Symphony (Sursa Hall)
  • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch (Provided)
  • 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Wrap up Lecture/Discussion session (MIB Room 152)

HOTEL INFORMATION

  • Ball State University Pittenger Hotel — 765-285-1555
  • Comfort Inn & Suites — 765-587-0294
  • Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center — 765-760-4077
  • Days Inn — 765-288-2311
  • Hampton Inn & Suites — 765-288-8500
  • Holiday Inn Express — 765-289-4678

Questions?

Contact Ball State Bands via email at bands@bsu.edu.