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 13-14, 2025

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 with Prof. Creston Herron

9:00am - 10:30am Conducting Lab Session #1 with Prof. Grogan/Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell

10:35am - 11:30am Innovation Studio Session #1 "Engage to Inspire" with Dr. Mark Laycock

11:30am - 1:30pm - Lunch - (DeBruce Center)

1:30pm - 2:25pm Feldenkrais Session with Dr. Lisa Burrell

2:30pm - 4:00pm Conducting Lab Session #2 with Prof. Grogan/Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell

4:00pm - 5:00pm Innovation Studio Session # 2 Orchestral Lingo: Bridging Strings and Winds with Dr. Matthew Smith

5:00 PM Dinner 23rd Street Brewery

Day 2

8:30am - 8:55am Innovation Studio Session #3 Musical Tone Gym with Prof. Creston Herron

9:00am - 10:30am Conducting Lab Session #3 with Prof. Grogan/Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell

10:35am - 11:30am Score Study Bootcamp with Prof. Jeff Grogan

11:30am - 1:30pm - Lunch - (Mrs. E's Dining Hall)

1:30pm - 2:25pm Innovation Studio Session #4 String Lab Experiments 101 with Dr. Lisa Burrell

2:30pm - 4:00pm Conducting Lab Session #4 with Prof. Grogan/Prof. Herron/Dr. Burrell

4:15pm - 5:15pm Reading Session Luck's Music Library

5:30 PM 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