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Kansas City Conducting Symposium (Non-Credit)
Symposium Overview
The Kansas City Symposium is June 7-11, 2026.
Professors Steven D. Davis and Joseph Parisi are thrilled to once again be hosting the Kansas City Conducting Symposium at the UMKC Conservatory!
Symposium Faculty and Clinician
Steven D. Davis
UMKC Conservatory Rose Ann Carr Millsap Missouri Distinguished Professor of Music Director of Bands and Wind Ensembles, Large Ensembles Area Coordinator
Dr. Joseph Parisi
UMKC Conservatory Curators' Distinguished Professor of Instrumental Music Education / Associate Director of Bands
Dr. Kevin Sedatole
Michigan State University’s Director of Bands and Professor of Music
Schedule
Sunday, June 7
- 3-3:30 pm — Check-In
- 3:30-4 p.m. —Welcome Meeting
- 4-4:30 p.m. — Individual Track Meetings
- 4:45-5:45 p.m. — Special Topics
- 6 p.m. — Optional happy hour at local restaurant
Monday, June 16-Thursday, June 11
- 9-9:30 a.m. — Coffee
- 9:30-10:15 a.m. — Special Topics
- 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — Conducting Rounds
- 12:30-2:00 p.m. — Lunch Break (not provided)
- 2-3:15 p.m. — Breakout Rounds/Conducting Rounds
- 3:30-5:30 p.m. — Conducting Rounds and Observations
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. — Closing Session/Special Topics
- Optional happy hour at local restaurant
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
- Conducting Participant (Blue Track) Registration Fee: $600 (deadline May 1, 2026)
- Conducting Participant (Gold Track) Registration Fee: $400 (deadline May 1, 2026)
- Auditor Registration Fee: $250 (deadline May 1, 2026)
- Observer Registration Fee: $150 (deadline May 1, 2026)
Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds for our summer programs. All fees and deposits are non-refundable.
On-Campus Housing - $300 (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 7
Check out: June 11
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
Grant Hall — 5228 Charlotte 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 Rockhill Parking Garage on the east side of the building, which can be accessed with the student parking pass. If participants do not want to purchase a pass, there is metered parking on the south side of Grant Hall, but on Saturdays and Sundays campus parking is free.
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.
Registration
Register online and pay by credit card: Kansas City 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 May, 2026