Butler School hosts 31st annual conductor's workshop

Photo by: Franco LaTona

By: Franco LaTona

The Butler School of Music completed its 31st annual wind conducting workshop Thursday in one of the school’s first in-person events since the pandemic began.

“It’s just been nice to watch the building come alive again,” said Tiffany Galus, assistant Longhorn Band director and one of the event’s organizers.

Over the course of five days, 30 conductors selected from a competitive applicant pool, three clinicians and a host of guest instructors came to practice their craft, network, share knowledge and come together after what was for many a long period of inaction.

“We had many people share that this is the first time they’ve conducted in front of an ensemble in 18 months,” Galus said. 

Of the 30 participants, 10 came to learn and observe while 20 performed with an ensemble composed of Butler School students under the observation of a clinician. Participants were also video recorded so they could analyze the film alongside the Butler School’s new Longhorn Band Director Cliff Croomes and Assistant Band Director Ryan Kelly. 

Abbigail Ramsey, a second year master’s student in wind conducting at Stephen F. Austin State University, attended the workshop for the first time this year and performed Wednesday morning for the group.

“I’m usually so focused on perfect technique, so I’m trying to think more about the story I’m trying to tell through the music,” she said following her performance. 

Ramsey said she struggles with performance anxiety as well, so she tries to channel excess adrenaline through her body into the performance. 

“As a conductor you have to be vulnerable because you put yourself and your work out there and there’s a chance that people won’t like it,” she said.

Connection and vulnerability were the workshop’s two main themes this year. Galus said a diverse group of applicants were selected for the workshop, some grad students, others teaching in k-12 schools or private organizations, and she was pleased to watch how they bonded from the first day to the last.

“We really wanted people to connect and leave with a network of fellow conductors that can help advance their careers,” Galus said.

 In addition to performance and feedback, the workshop included a variety of classes including the importance of friendship and collaboration in artistry, how to submit quality application materials and even a session on mental health.

“This year more than ever we’ve had time to sit with our own thoughts,” Galus said. “And it’s important that we process them in a healthy way.”

Michael Swiren, associate director of Leander High School Band, attended the workshop for the third time this year. He said he came primarily for the exceptional clinicians and teachers, but also appreciated the emphasis on emotional well being. 

During one session, Swiren said the group discussed the blurred lines many musicians experience between work and fun. As a kid, Swiren said music was exclusively fun. As an adult, music is still fun, but now it's also work. So, Swiren said he’s developed other outlets like running and intramural sports, which help his emotional and mental health.

In order to maintain physical distance and limit the amount of time in the building, the workshop was split into three rooms running concurrently. Just one room included an audience where participants could physically distance themselves. The other two rooms were devoted solely to a conductor, clinician and ensemble with no audience. 

The workshop’s three clinicians this year were: Jerry Junkin, the Butler School's director of bands and professor of wind conducting; Kevin Sedatole, former director of the Longhorn Band who is now director of bands, professor of music, and chair of the conducting area at the Michigan State University; and Richard L. Floyd, former state director of music at the University of Texas at Austin.