Midwestern Music Educators Retreat

Embark on a transformative journey at our Midwestern Music Educators Retreat, set against the picturesque backdrop of the University of Kansas.

June 12-13, 2026

Here, opportunity meets innovation as you immerse yourself in a plethora of networking opportunities, discover new and groundbreaking rehearsal techniques, and reimagine your approach to string program development. Sharpen your conducting toolkit with experts in the field, learn from master educators, and connect with a dynamic consortium of colleagues.

Join our engaging reading sessions and explore new music and gain invaluable strategies in our innovative rehearsal lab settings. Elevate your string education experience with us!

The conducting participant will conduct works for string orchestra in the conducting lab sessions and receive one-on-one mentoring from the clinicians. Only ten conductors will be accepted, and the positions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the conductor positions have been filled, a waiting list will be established.

Conducting Participant Registration

Auditors will not conduct during the conducting lab, but they are encouraged to attend all workshop sessions and participate in the orchestra. There are an unlimited number of positions available for auditors.

Auditor Tract Registration

Retreat Schedule:

Day 1

8:30am - 8:55am Breakfast/Welcome Session (Prof. Creston Herron)
9:00am - 10:30am Conducting Lab Session #1 (Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell)
10:35am - 11:30am Innovation Studio Session #1 Tone Zone: Developing a Healthy Sound in the Orchestra (Prof. Creston Herron)
11:30am - 1:30pm - Lunch - (DeBruce Center)
1:30pm - 2:25pm Feldenkrais Session (Dr. Lisa Burrell)
2:30pm - 4:00pm Conducting Lab Session #2 (Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell)
4:05pm - 5:00pm Innovation Studio Session # 2 Setting the Tone: Building Programs with the Three R's, Retention, Recruitment and Relationships (Prof. Joseph Keeney)
5:00pm Dinner 23rd Street Brewery

Day 2

8:30am - 8:55am Innovation Studio Session #3 The Fiddle Care Session: Improve Basic Maintenance and Repair Skills (Sarah Harris)
9:00am - 10:30am Conducting Lab Session #3 (Prof. Gary Lewis/Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell)
10:35am - 11:30am Innovation Studio Session #4 Score Study Refresher Course (Prof. Gary Lewis)
11:30am - 1:30pm - Lunch - (Kansas Union)
1:30pm - 2:25pm Innovation Studio Session #5 Violin and Viola Vibrato: A Non-linear Approach (Dr. Lisa Burrell)
2:30pm - 4:00pm Conducting Lab Session #4 (Prof. Gary Lewis/Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell)
4:00pm - 5:00pm Reading Session (Luck’s Music Library)
5:00pm Dinner Biemer's BBQ

Housing

All participants are encouraged to arrange for their own housing, but dorm space will be available at the following rates in Stouffer Place, one of our newest housing facilities:

Housing Option: Private bed (full-size bed) and bath with a shared living-room/kitchen with other participants will be available for $45.00 per night.

Linens: Linens will be provided for an additional $20 flat fee.

Virtual Tour: https://housing.ku.edu/stouffer-place-virtual-tours