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Choral Conducting Symposium (Non-Credit)

Symposium Overview

The Choral Conducting Symposium is June 29 -July 1, 2026.

The UMKC Choral Conducting Symposium, hosted by UMKC Conservatory Choral Faculty member, Dr. Jennifer Sengin will meet from Monday, June 29-Wednesday, July 1 on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Joining the UMKC Conservatory faculty will be our featured guest clinicians, Dr. Kristina MacMullen (Baylor University) and Dr. Brandon Williams (Rutgers University), as well as composer-residence Taylor Scott Davis.

The Symposium will provide conducting master classes as its primary focal point, as well as interactive lectures and workshops lead by UMKC Conservatory faculty and guest teachers. Representative topics include expressive-communicative conducting technique, rehearsal strategies, score study, diverse repertoire, performance practice, and choral programming.

Symposium conductors will sing with and conduct the semi-professional UMKC Summer Choral Chamber Ensemble each day. The Symposium environment is collaborative and encouraging, allowing participants to enhance skills in conducting, rehearsing and communicating with ensembles at all levels. At the end of each day, participants are invited to join the Symposium community in social gatherings at various establishments through the Kansas City area if they choose.

Digital Brochure

Symposium Faculty and Clinicians

Dr. Jennifer Sengin
UMKC Conservatory Director of Choral Studies, Assistant Professor in Choral Music, Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Endowed Professorship in Choral Music

Dr. Kristina MacMullen

Baylor University, Director of Choral Activities, Mary Gibbs Jones Chair in Music

Dr. Brandon Williams
Rutgers University, Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor, Conducting

Taylor Scott Davis
Composer-In-Residence

Schedule

A detailed schedule will be emailed to participants in the weeks leading up to the symposium.

Daily outline

  • 8:30 a.m. — Program check-in
  • 9 a.m.–12 p.m. — Conducting rounds and special topics
  • 12–1:30 p.m. — Break for lunch
  • 1:30–5 p.m. — Conducting rounds and special topics
  • 5:30 p.m. — Happy hour at local establishment

Tuition and Fees

Tuition includes all classes, all scheduled events during the workshop. Please note that this fee does not include overnight housing or meals. Meals and on-campus housing are not available for this event.

Registration Fees

  • Early Bird Conductor Registration Fee: $435 (deadline Friday, April 10)
  • Standard Conductor Registration Fee: $465 (deadline Friday, June 12)
  • Observer Registration Fee: $175 (deadline Friday, June 12)

Refund Policy

We do not offer refunds for our summer programs. All fees and deposits are non-refundable.

On-Campus Housing - $225 (Optional)

Those wishing to stay close to the conference may want to register for on-campus housing. Rooms in UMKC residence halls are set up suite-style, with either two or four rooms connected to a shared bathroom. During registration, participants will be able to indicate their preference for room style, but due to limited availability, we cannot guarantee that preferences will be honored. Participants will be housed in either the Oak Street or the Johnson Residence Halls.

Housing Dates

Check in: June 28
Check out: July 1

Housing Staff

All adult programs that offer on-campus housing will have at least one staff member staying on the same floor as our participants and will be available to participants 24/7 in case of an emergency and will be there to assist with check-in and check-out.

Suitemates

During registration, participants will have the option to request suitemates. In order for a request to be granted, both participants must have requested each other. Participants may make multiple requests in case they are placed in a four-room suite.

Detailed housing information will be provided in our welcome packet. Welcome packets are emailed to registered students after registration closes.

Location and Parking

Location

James C. Olson Performing Arts Center (PAC) - 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110. A staff member will be inside the lobby waiting to check participants in as they arrive.

Parking

Participants can park in the Cherry Street Parking Garage or the Student Success parking lot on the east side of the building, both can be accessed with a guest parking pass. If participants do not want to purchase a pass, the 5th floor of the Cherry Street Parking Garage has metered parking. The 5th floor of the garage also has a ramp that leads directly to the PAC.

Parking permit Fee: $13.50

This allows participants to park in any UMKC Parking Lot. Parking is limited on campus, so a permit is strongly encouraged for those who will be bringing a car. The week prior to the event start date, all registered participants will be sent an invitation to claim and pay for a digital parking pass. Participants will only be charged the $13.50 if they claim their parking pass online.

Volker campus map (PDF)

Registration

Register online and pay by credit card: Choral Conducting Symposium

Note: If you register online, you will need an account with our online registration software. Creating an account is easy and just requires some contact information. Please contact us if you have any trouble creating or accessing your account.

Hard-Copy Registration

Hard-copy forms are available upon request by emailing music-ce@umkc.edu.

Special Registration Requests

If registration is being partially or fully funded by a student’s school or outside source, please contact us at music-ce@umkc.edu for special registration instructions.

Registration and payment must be received by June 12, 2026