Conductors Conference

Clinician

Damon Talley serves as Director of Bands and Paula G. Manship Professor of Conducting at the Louisiana State University School of Music, where he oversees all aspects of the LSU Department of Bands, conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate conducting. The nationally recognized Band Department at LSU serves as an integral component of the thriving School of Music. Under his leadership, the Department has established an annual conducting symposium, high school and middle school camps that serve hundreds of students annually, and numerous outreach events for public school educators. The Golden Band From Tigerland marching band has been featured at national conferences on multiple occasions, and most recently, the LSU Wind Ensemble performed at the College Band Directors National Association national convention. Dr. Talley is a strong supporter and advocate of music in the public schools. He regularly serves as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad, including engagements in Germany, Switzerland, England, and Spain, among others.

The LSU Wind Ensemble has released multiple recordings on the Equilibrium Label and continues to commission and record new compositions regularly. Dr. Talley has recorded on Best Classical Records and received favorable reviews from publications including Gramophone magazine and the American Record Guide. He has served as producer or associate producer on commercial recordings by the Naxos, Klavier, and Equilibrium record labels, and is published in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, distributed by GIA Publications.

As an avid supporter of new music for the wind medium, Dr. Talley has conducted numerous world premier performances, and has commissioned composers to write for the wind band. He has won praise for his work by composers such as William Bolcom, Steven Mackey, Kevin Puts, Joseph Schwantner, David Maslanka, Donald Grantham, and Michael Daugherty, among others. He regularly hosts visiting composers of national and international status on the campus of LSU, and is a strong advocate for young composers, often premiering pieces by student composers. Dr. Talley is currently the National Chair for the New Works Committee of CBDNA as well as the Chair for the Commissioning Committee for the SEC Band Directors Association.

Prior to his appointment at LSU, Dr. Talley held the position of Director of Bands at Shenandoah Conservatory, where he was responsible for guiding the wind band program, conducting the EDGE New Music Ensemble, and teaching graduate conducting. He has also taught on the faculties at The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan. Prior to teaching at the university level, Dr. Talley taught in the public schools in Texas at both the middle school and high school levels. He earned the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Michigan, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas. His principal conducting teachers are Jerry Junkin, Michael Haithcock, and H. Robert Reynolds. Dr. Talley is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, the Louisiana Music Educators Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association Educators Association. He is also an Educational Consultant and Clinician for the Conn-Selmer Corporation.

Sample Schedule

Thursday	Schedule
6:30–7:10 p.m.	Arrive at UNCG; report to Music Building Lobby for check-in
7:15–9:00 p.m.	Opening Lecture

Friday	Schedule
8:30–10:00 a.m.	Conducting Session – (have your instrument & have your baton!) Room 146, Music Building
10:00–10:28 a.m.	Break, Refreshments in the Atrium, 2nd floor
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Conducting Sessions, Music Building
12:00–1:05 p.m.	Catered Lunch for Conductors Conference & Clinicians (included in fee)
1:05–2:30 p.m.	Conducting Sessions (have your instrument & have your baton!), Music Building
2:30–2:45 p.m.	Break, Refreshments in the Atrium, 2nd floor
2:45–3:45 p.m.	Instrumental Pedagogy Clinic(s) with UNCG School of Music Faculty
3:45–4:00 p.m.	Break
4:00–5:00 p.m.	Instrumental Pedagogy Clinic(s) with UNCG School of Music Faculty
5:00–6:00 p.m.	Dinner (on your own)
6:00–7:00 p.m.	Observe Honor Band Rehearsal Symphonic Band in Room 111, Music Bldg. Concert Band in UNCG Auditorium
7:30–9:15 p.m.	UNCG Wind Ensemble Concert, UNCG Auditorium

Saturday	Schedule
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Conducting Sessions, Music Building
10:00 –10:15 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:15 –11:15 a.m.	Panel Discussion
11:30 a.m.	Students change into concert clothes, check out of hotel, have lunch on your own
2:00 p.m.	Honor Band Concerts in UNCG Auditorium (open to the public) Concert Band Symphonic Band

Carolina Band Festival And Conductors Conference Clinicians

The Carolina Band Festival and Conductors Conference has brought the very finest guest conductors and conducting clinicians in America to the UNCG Campus each year since 1990.

2026

Symphonic Band: Sarah McKoin – Director of Bands, Texas Tech University
Concert Band: William L. Lake, Jr. – Director of Concert Bands, George Mason University
Conductors Conference: John R. Locke – Director of Bands Emeritus, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2025

Symphonic Band: Brian K. Doyle – Director of Bands, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam
Concert Band: Arris Golden – Assistant Director of Bands, Michigan State University
Conductors Conference: Michael Haithcock – Director of Bands Emeritus, University of Michigan

2024

Symphonic Band: Courtney Snyder – Associate Director of Bands, University of Michigan
Concert Band: LaToya Webb – Director, Laurier Wind Orchestra, Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada)
Conductors Conference: Kevin Sedatole – Director of Bands, Michigan State University

2023

Symphonic Band: Andrea E. Brown – Associate Director of Bands, University of Maryland
Concert Band: Patricia Cornett – Director of Bands, Temple University
Conductors Conference: Scott Teeple – Director of Bands, University of Wisconsin

2022

Symphonic Band: Eric Wilson – Director of Bands, Baylor University
Concert Band: Damien Crutcher – CEO, Crescendo Detroit, Wayne State University
Conductors Conference: H. Robert Reynolds – Director of Bands Emeritus, University of Michigan

2020 (Cancelled due to Inclement Weather)

11-12 Honor Band: Sarah McKoin – Director of Bands, Texas Tech University
9-10 Honor Band: Andrea E. Brown – Associate Director of Bands, University of Maryland
Conductors Conference: Jerry Junkin – Director of Bands, University of Texas at Austin

2019

11-12 Honor Band: Col. Michael Colburn (Ret.) – Director of Bands, Butler University; “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band
9-10 Honor Band: Catherine Rand – Director of Bands, University of Southern Mississippi
Conductors Conference: Mallory Thompson – Director of Bands, Northwestern University

2018

11-12 Honor Band: Stephen Peterson – Director of Bands, University of Illinois
9-10 Honor Band: Elizabeth Peterson – Associate Director of Bands, University of Illinois
Conductors Conference: Craig Kirchoff – Director of Bands Emeritus, University of Minnesota

 2017

11-12 Honor Band: Col. Lowell Graham – Director of Orchestral Activities, University of Texas at El Paso, Retired Conductor U.S. Air Force Band, Washington, DC
9-10 Honor Band: Stuart Sims – Director of Instrumental Studies California State University, Stanislaus
Conductors Conference: Scott Rush – Conductor, Charleston Wind Symphony, Author, “Habits” Series for GIA Publications

2016

11-12 Honor Band: Russel Mikkelson – Director of Bands, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
9-10 Honor Band: Damon Talley – Director of Bands, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Conductors Conference: Eric Wilson – Director of Bands, Baylor University, Waco, Texas

2015

11-12 Honor Band: John Locke and Kevin Geraldi, Conductors, UNCG
9-10 Honor Band: Terry Austin – Director of Bands, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Conductors Conference: Jack Stamp – Director of Bands, Composer & Department Chair, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania

2014

Snowed Out!

2013

11-12 Honor Band: Frank Wickes – Director of Bands Emeritus, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
9-10 Honor Band: Bruce Moss – Director of Bands, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
Conductors Conference: Gary Green – Director of Bands, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida

2012

11-12 Honor Band: Eugene Migliaro Corporon – Director of Wind Studies, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
9-10 Honor Band: Mark Camphouse – Director of Wind Ensemble & composer in Residence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Conductors Conference: Ed Lisk – Internationally acclaimed author/clinician/conductor

2011

11-12 Honor Band: Richard Floyd – State Director of Music, University of Texas, Conductor, Austin Symphonic Band
9-10 Honor Band: Sue Samuels – Director of Bands, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Conductors Conference: Michael Haithcock – Director of Bands, University of Michigan

2010

11-12 Honor Band: Gary Green – Director of Bands, University of Miami
9-10 Honor Band: Rodney Dorsey – Associate Director of Bands, University of Michigan
Conductors Conference: Donald Hunsberger – Conductor Emeritus, Eastman Wind Ensemble

2009

11-12 Honor Band: Frank Ticheli – Professor of Composition, University of Southern California
9-10 Honor Band: Eric Wilson – Director of Bands, Baylor University
Conductors Conference: H. Robert Reynolds – Director of Bands Emeritus, University of Michigan

2008

11-12 Honor Band: Don Wilcox – Director of Bands Emeritus, West Virginia University
9-10 Honor Band: Brian Doyle – Director of Bands, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam
Conductors Conference: Richard Clary – Wind Ensemble Conductor, Florida State University

2007

11-12 Honor Band: Kevin Sedatole – Director of Bands, Michigan State University
9-10 Honor Band: Scott Teeple – Director of Bands, University of Wisconsin
Conductors Conference: Craig Kirchhoff – Director of Bands, University of Minnesota

2006

11-12 Honor Band: Michael Haithcock – Director of Bands, University of Michigan
9-10 Honor Band: Marcellus Brown – Director of Bands, Boise State University
Conductors Conference: Richard Gregory – Conductor, Tara Winds

2005

11-12 Honor Band: Tom Fraschillo – Director of Bands, University of Southern Mississippi
9-10 Honor Band: Timothy Rhea – Director of Bands, Texas A & M University
Conductors Conference: Ed Lisk – Internationally acclaimed author/clinician/conductor

2004

11-12 Honor Band: Tom Leslie – Director of Bands, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
9-10 Honor Band: Julian White – Director of Bands, Florida A & M State University
Conductors Conference: Jerry Junkin – Director of Bands, University of Texas

2003

11-12 Honor Band: Gary Hill – Director of Bands, Arizona State University
9-10 Honor Band: John Carmichael – Director of Bands, Western Kentucky University
Conductors Conference: Stanley Michalski – Director of Bands Emeritus, Clarion University

2002

11-12 Honor Band: Ray Cramer – Director of Bands, Indiana University
9-10 Honor Band: Hal Cooper – Director of Bands, Arkansas Tech University
Conductors Conference: Mark Kelly – Director of Bands Emeritus, Bowling Green State University

2001

11-12 Honor Band: Gary Green – Director of Bands, University of Miami
9-10 Honor Band: Stephen Gage – Director of Bands, Youngstown State University
Conductors Conference: W. Francis McBeth – Internationally acclaimed composer/clinician

2000

11-12 Honor Band: Ken Bloomquist – Director of Bands Emeritus, Michigan State University
9-10 Honor Band: Linda Moorhouse – Associate Director of Bands, Louisiana State University
Conductors Conference: Richard Miles – Director of Bands, Morehead State University

1999

11-12 Honor Band: Jack Stamp – Director of Bands, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
9-10 Honor Band: Andrea Strauss – Director of Bands, Georgia Tech University
Conductors Conference: Ed Lisk – Internationally acclaimed author/clinician/conductor

1998

11-12 Honor Band: James Croft – Director of Bands, Florida State University
9-10 Honor Band: Les Hicken – Director of Bands, Furman University
Conductors Conference: Frank Wickes – Director of Bands, Louisiana State University

1997

11-12 Honor Band: David Waybright – Director of Bands, University of Florida
9-10 Honor Band: Paula Crider – Director of Longhorn Bands, University of Texas
Conductors Conference: Craig Kirchhoff – Director of Bands, University of Minnesota

1996

11-12 Honor Band: Col. John Bourgeois – Conductor, United States Marine Band
9-10 Honor Band: Barbara Payne – University of Hawaii
Conductors Conference: Myron Welch – Director of Bands, University of Iowa

1995

11-12 Honor Band: James Curnow – Internationally acclaimed composer/conductor
9-10 Honor Band: William Keith – Director of Bands, Armstrong State College
Conductors Conference: Jerry Junkin – Director of Bands, University of Texas

1994

11-12 Honor Band: Gerald Welker – Director of Bands, University of Alabama
9-10 Honor Band: William Fry – Director of Bands, Columbus College
Conductors Conference: Ed Lisk – Internationally acclaimed author/clinician/conductor

1993

11-12 Honor Band: Col. Arnald Gabriel – Conductor Emeritus, U.S. Air Force Band
9-10 Honor Band: John Zdechlik – Internationally acclaimed composer/conductor
Conductors Conference: Jack Williamson – Director of Bands, Central Michigan

1992

11-12 Honor Band: Don Wilcox – Director of Bands, West Virginia University
9-10 Honor Band: James Barnes – Internationally acclaimed composer/conductor
Conductors Conference: Gerald Welker – Director of Bands, University of Alabama

1991

11-12 Honor Band: Thomas Dvorak – Director of Bands, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
9-10 Honor Band: Robert Jager – Director of Bands, Columbus College
Conductors Conference: Robert Gutter – Director of Orchestras, UNCG

1990

11-12 Honor Band: Frank Wickes – Director of Bands, Louisiana State University
9-10 Honor Band: Joseph Scagnoli – Director of Bands, Ball State University
Conductors Conference: Jack Stamp – Director of Bands, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Registration for the Carolina Conductors Conference will open Fall 2026.

After completing and submitting the online registration form, you will be redirected to etix.com to pay the registration fee online using a Visa or MasterCard. A copy of your registration will be emailed to the address provided.