Conducting and Wind Music Symposium
Mallory Thompson
with Craig Kirchhoff
July 7-12, 2024
Schedule: Su 2:00-8:00pm; MTWTH 8:00am-6:00pm, F 7:30am-3:30pm
Location: Ryan Center for the Musical Arts (Evanston Campus)
Overview
Taught by Mallory Thompson, Director of Bands at Northwestern University and Craig Kirchhoff, Professor Emeritus of Conducting at the University of Minnesota. This symposium is designed to enhance your conducting, teaching, and musical skills. Participants will be sent a list of scores to prepare in advance, with repertoire for a variety of ensembles and levels. In addition to conducting a live ensemble and receiving feedback from the faculty, participants will attend lectures and discussions on choosing repertoire, score study, rehearsal techniques, movement, and interpretation.
The symposium is recommended for conductors of all levels with a desire to learn and explore new ideas. There are two ways to participate in the workshop: as a conducting participant or as an observing auditor. All attendees will participate in lectures and discussions. We value the diverse identities and experiences of participants as everyone contributes their own unique perspective: everyone’s experience is enhanced and enriched through a more diverse group of participants. Preference will be given to those with a completed bachelor's degree and some teaching experience.
There are no audition requirements.
Available Credits
MUS_WKSP 310 Sec 4 Performance Workshop, One-Week 0 credit
MUS_WKSP 315 Sec 4 Performance Workshop, One-Week 0.5 credit
Tuition
Participant Tuition: $750, Full Program Auditor: $450
(Additional charge to register for credit)
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the Summer Application (opens December 11, 2023). Upon creating a file in the Application, applicants should select “Summer Session” as their application type, and then select the workshop to which they are applying. This will ensure that the file is distributed to the correct reviewers. No separate application form is necessary—do not submit an application to Northwestern University via the Common Application or Graduate Music Online Application. Applicants will be asked to upload a detailed resume and provide a personal statement.
Due to the tremendous interest in this workshop, early submission (by February 1) is strongly recommended. Applicants will be screened as soon as materials are received and notified of admission via email. Participant registration is limited to 34 individuals. Registration with full payment is required to reserve your participation and will be accepted until the symposium is filled. Payments must be received no later than June 1, 2024.
NOTE: No paper applications will be accepted. Do not mail recordings to the Bienen School of Music or to faculty, as these will not be reviewed or returned.
Faculty
Mallory Thompson
See Full BioMallory Thompson
CloseMallory Thompson '79, '80 MMus is director of bands, professor of music, coordinator of the conducting program, and holds the John W. Beattie Chair of Music at Northwestern University. In 2003 she was named a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence. As only the third person in the university's history to hold the director of bands position, Thompson conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and administers all aspects of the band program. She has made five recordings with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble on the Summit Records label, which are available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music, led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in performances at the College Band Directors National Association national conventions in 2001 and 2017 and has earned praise from composers including John Adams, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Karel Husa, Morten Lauridsen, David Maslanka, Jonathan Newman, Carter Pann, Joel Puckett, Kevin Puts, and Adam Schoenberg.
Thompson received the Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied conducting with John P. Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz. She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Donald Hunsberger.
Maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, conducting teacher, and guest lecturer throughout the United States and Canada, Thompson has had the privilege of teaching conducting to thousands of undergraduates, graduate students, and professional educators. She has served as a conductor or clinician at the College Band Directors National Association regional and national conventions, the Midwest Clinic, the Interlochen Arts Academy, numerous state music conventions, and the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to conducting all-state ensembles throughout the United States, she has had professional engagements as guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band, the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the United States Army Field Band, the United States Coast Guard Band, the United States Navy Band, the West Point Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Monarch Brass Ensemble, and Banda Sinfônica in Sao Pãulo, Brazil. In 2019, she was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Midwest Clinic in recognition of her service to music education and continuing influence on the development and improvement of bands and orchestras worldwide. Her professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, and the American Bandmasters Association.
Dr. Thompson is especially proud of her 58 graduate conducting students and the hundreds of outstanding Symphonic Wind Ensemble members with whom she has had the joy of making music at Northwestern. She treasures her relationship with the Wildcat Marching Band and is honored to preserve and grow Northwestern’s legacy.
Craig Kirchhoff
See Full BioCraig Kirchhoff
CloseCraig Kirchhoff is professor emeritus of conducting at the University of Minnesota. Born and educated in Wisconsin, Mr. Kirchhoff brings to his position a wide knowledge of both traditional and contemporary literature. He has won critical acclaim from composers Warren Benson, Henry Brant, Michael Colgrass, Karel Husa, Libby Larsen, George Perle, Vincent Persichetti, Stephen Paulus, Verne Reynolds, Gunther Schuller, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Elliott Schwartz, Chen Yi, and others.
Mr. Kirchhoff is past president of the College Band Directors National Association and is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Music Educators National Conference, and he served as the founding editor and principal advisor of the College Band Directors National Association Journal.
Professor Kirchhoff has appeared as guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Europe, and Scandinavia. Mr. Kirchhoff is a frequent guest conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and has recorded with them on the Kosei Publishing label.
Mallory Thompson
CloseMallory Thompson '79, '80 MMus is director of bands, professor of music, coordinator of the conducting program, and holds the John W. Beattie Chair of Music at Northwestern University. In 2003 she was named a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence. As only the third person in the university's history to hold the director of bands position, Thompson conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and administers all aspects of the band program. She has made five recordings with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble on the Summit Records label, which are available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music, led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in performances at the College Band Directors National Association national conventions in 2001 and 2017 and has earned praise from composers including John Adams, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Karel Husa, Morten Lauridsen, David Maslanka, Jonathan Newman, Carter Pann, Joel Puckett, Kevin Puts, and Adam Schoenberg.
Thompson received the Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied conducting with John P. Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz. She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Donald Hunsberger.
Maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, conducting teacher, and guest lecturer throughout the United States and Canada, Thompson has had the privilege of teaching conducting to thousands of undergraduates, graduate students, and professional educators. She has served as a conductor or clinician at the College Band Directors National Association regional and national conventions, the Midwest Clinic, the Interlochen Arts Academy, numerous state music conventions, and the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to conducting all-state ensembles throughout the United States, she has had professional engagements as guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band, the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the United States Army Field Band, the United States Coast Guard Band, the United States Navy Band, the West Point Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Monarch Brass Ensemble, and Banda Sinfônica in Sao Pãulo, Brazil. In 2019, she was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Midwest Clinic in recognition of her service to music education and continuing influence on the development and improvement of bands and orchestras worldwide. Her professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, and the American Bandmasters Association.
Dr. Thompson is especially proud of her 58 graduate conducting students and the hundreds of outstanding Symphonic Wind Ensemble members with whom she has had the joy of making music at Northwestern. She treasures her relationship with the Wildcat Marching Band and is honored to preserve and grow Northwestern’s legacy.
Craig Kirchhoff
CloseCraig Kirchhoff is professor emeritus of conducting at the University of Minnesota. Born and educated in Wisconsin, Mr. Kirchhoff brings to his position a wide knowledge of both traditional and contemporary literature. He has won critical acclaim from composers Warren Benson, Henry Brant, Michael Colgrass, Karel Husa, Libby Larsen, George Perle, Vincent Persichetti, Stephen Paulus, Verne Reynolds, Gunther Schuller, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Elliott Schwartz, Chen Yi, and others.
Mr. Kirchhoff is past president of the College Band Directors National Association and is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Music Educators National Conference, and he served as the founding editor and principal advisor of the College Band Directors National Association Journal.
Professor Kirchhoff has appeared as guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Europe, and Scandinavia. Mr. Kirchhoff is a frequent guest conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and has recorded with them on the Kosei Publishing label.