Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 // Athens, Georgia The Classic City Conducting Symposium is a dynamic workshop designed specifically for undergraduate music education students looking to deepen their conducting skills and gain valuable teaching experience. This symposium provides an exceptional opportunity for emerging educators to receive hands-on training while learning from experienced conductors and educators. Participants will have the chance to conduct the UGA Wind Symphony, engage in detailed instructional rounds, and receive direct coaching from expert guest clinicians and faculty members. This program is designed to equip future music educators with the tools, techniques, and confidence they need to lead their own ensembles and inspire their students. Meet our UGA conducting faculty HERE. Meet our guest clinicians Dr. Quintus F. Wrighten Jr. - Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina Dr. J. William Nicholas - Director of Bands in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Tuskegee University Dr. Quintus F. Wrighten, Jr. is the Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. In addition to conducting the University Bands, he teaches courses in conducting and band methods, supervises student teachers, co-directs the basketball bands, and coordinates the volleyball band. While completing doctoral study, he served as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Memphis, where he directed the marching band, conducted the Symphonic Band, and taught courses in undergraduate conducting and instrumental materials and methods. His appointment at the University of South Carolina follows public school teaching experience that spans thirteen years in middle and high schools of South Carolina, with his ensembles being recognized on state, regional, and national levels for consistent performance excellence. Wrighten earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, where he studied conducting with Kraig Alan Williams, Albert T. Nguyen, and Nicholas V. Holland, III. He earned a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with Thomas V. Fraschillo, Gary W. Adam, and Steven R. Moser. He earned the Bachelor of Music from the University of South Carolina. Wrighten remains active across the Southeast, Southwest, and Northeast as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. He serves the Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu as the President and actively serves as a member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. He holds additional professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, American School Band Directors Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the National Association for Music Education, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association. Wrighten also holds honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Dr. J. William Nicholas serves as Director of Bands in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Tuskegee University, where he conducts the Tuskegee Winds, leads the Marching Crimson Pipers, teaches courses in Conducting, and oversees all aspects of the band program. Dr. Nicholas joined the Tuskegee University faculty in 2022, after completing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at the University of South Carolina. In his time at UofSC, Dr. Nicholas lead the Carolina Volleyball Band, and served as guest conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and University Band. Dr. Nicholas also served as Interim Director of University Bands at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina during his doctoral study. Prior to doctoral study, Dr. Nicholas served as Director of Bands at Jones High School in Orlando, Florida, and in that time (2014-2019), grew the band program to over 110 students, significantly increased student participation in audition-based honor bands, and earned consistent superior ratings on the District and State level. In 2018, the Jones High School Wind Ensemble garnered national attention on the "Ellen" show after receiving a $100,000 donation to fund a trip to perform at Carnegie Hall. For his work, Dr. Nicholas received the Florida Music Education Association’s Tom Bishop Award, which recognizes a Director in the State of Florida who has turned a program around and made a “huge, positive difference” in a short amount of time. Dr. Nicholas has presented sessions at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the Southern Division of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conference, and has served as a Session Coordinator for presentations at the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) Conference. Dr. Nicholas maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator, most recently serving as the 2024 Birmingham City Schools All-City Marching Band Camp Director, where he lead over 600 high school students from every high school band in Birmingham. Dr. Nicholas earned the Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University and the Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Florida A&M University. His professional affiliations include the Golden Key International Honor Society, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. Repertoire TBD Application Process Please review the information below carefully before applying to attend. All applicants must have completed conducting 1. Applications Open: February 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. First Considerations for Conductors: March 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. *All deadlines are in Eastern Standard Time Track Offered Conductor ($50) - Participants will conduct sessions and receive video/audio-recorded performances. Get Started Please prepare to submit one letter of recommendation, and upload 2 minutes of conducting footage (conducting facing view). We recommend sending an Unlisted YouTube link of your video. The application form will have fields where you can upload your application materials. You will be able to submit your materials HERE on February 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. https://forms.gle/qnLVZsU1px1otvnz6
