About the Conductor Conference

Activities will include active sessions with either the Conductors Concert Band or members of the UNCG Wind Ensemble, as well as panel discussions and clinics on topics including literature, score study, rehearsal techniques, ensemble motivation, conducting technique, and personal musical growth. All attendees perform with the Conductors Band, so plan to bring your instrument!

Conducting Participants

Photo of participants during Conductors Conference

Conducting Participant status is designed for conductors with a minimum of a completed bachelor’s degree in music and one year of experience in either a teaching situation or graduate conducting study.

Apply early—the limited number of positions for Conducting Participants will be filled in the order in which applications are received. Conducting Participants will conduct twice during the conference (two seven-minute slots).

All participants should bring their band instrument and perform in the Directors Band, our conference lab ensemble.

Non-Conducting Participants

Non-Conducting participants will attend all sessions but will not conduct a lab ensemble. Non-Conducting status is recommended for and open to musicians at all levels. Registration is not limited.

Cost

Conducting Participants: $100
Non-Conducting Participants: $75

The registration fee includes a catered lunch on Friday, parking, and all sessions and materials.

Conductors Conference Repertoire 2026

Repertoire subject to change.

  • Air for Band — Frank Erickson
  • Ammerland – Jacob de Haan
  • Chasing Sunlight — Cait Nishimura
  • Chester — William Schuman
  • Folk Song Suite — Ralph Vaughan Williams
  • Halcyon Hearts — Katahj Copley
  • Moscow, 1941 — Brian Balmages
  • Mystery on Mena Mountain — Julie Giroux
  • Second Suite in F — Gustav Holst
  • Sheltering Sky — John Mackey
  • Star Ship — Yukiko Nishimura
  • O Magnum Mysterium — Morton Lauridsen
  • Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs — Frank Ticheli

Clinician

Kevin M. Geraldi

Kevin M. Geraldi began his appointment as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2022. His responsibilities include conducting the internationally renowned Illinois Wind Symphony, guiding the graduate program in wind conducting, and providing administrative leadership for the university’s comprehensive and historic band program. Previously, Dr. Geraldi served as Director of Instrumental Ensembles and Professor of Conducting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he joined the faculty in 2005. At UNCG, he conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Casella Sinfonietta, led the graduate program in instrumental conducting, taught undergraduate conducting, and guided the instrumental ensemble program. He has held additional faculty positions at Lander University in Greenwood, SC, and in the public schools of Westchester, IL.

Ensembles under Dr. Geraldi’s guidance have presented acclaimed performances in significant venues in the United States and Europe, at national and state conventions, and through recordings on the SoundSet, Equilibrium, Centaur Records, and JustinTime labels. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator with high school bands, orchestras, and honor ensembles, including appearances with the Greensboro Symphony, Xinghai Conservatory Symphony Orchestra (China), the Union Musicale de Roquetas de Mar (Spain), and numerous university ensembles. Dr. Geraldi is a leader in commissioning and premiering new works for band and chamber ensemble and has earned praise for his collaborations with numerous significant composers and soloists.

Dr. Geraldi is a co-author of The Elements of Expressive Conducting, a textbook for undergraduate conducting courses that is widely used around the United States. A dedicated proponent of music education, his articles for music educators on concert programming and effective rehearsal strategies have been published by The Instrumentalist and the Music Educators Journal, and he has contributed numerous conductor’s guides for the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. He is a frequent presenter at international, national, and state conferences. His articles in The Journal of Band Research and the WASBE Journal address topics that reflect his interest in the history and performance practice of chamber music for winds, brass, and strings. 

A native of Elmhurst, IL, Dr. Geraldi holds the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in conducting from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Michael Haithcock and H. Robert Reynolds, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, where he studied conducting with Steven Eggleston. Additionally, he studied with teachers including Gustav Meier and Kenneth Kiesler and participated in conducting workshops with Pierre Boulez, Frederick Fennell, and Paul Vermel. 

Dr. Geraldi is a recipient of the Conductors Guild’s Thelma A. Robinson Award and the Outstanding Teaching Award in the UNCG School of Music. He is a National Arts Associate of Sigma Alpha Iota and a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Sample Schedule

ThursdaySchedule
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
FridaySchedule
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
SaturdaySchedule
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.