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Graduate Studies in Wind Conducting
The University of Florida School of Music is proud to offer a M.M. degree in Wind Conducting, a D.M.A. degree in Wind Conducting, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting. Teaching Fellowships and Assistantships are awarded to incoming MM and PhD students through the UF Bands and provide valuable and practical experience as a conducting professional. UF Bands Teaching Assistants regularly guest conduct the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Bands, and teach courses related to their expertise, including Methods in Teaching Instrumental Music and Applied Brass Skills. Graduate students from UF Bands and other programs work with the University of Florida Athletic Bands in a variety of capacities including assisting in music and drill rehearsal, teaching sectionals, arranging music, and conducting the basketball and volleyball bands.
The University of Florida also hosts an annual conducting symposium used for the advancement of the current students as well as an audition for incoming potential candidates; past clinicians include Michael Haithcock, Ray Cramer, Tom Leslie, Rodney Dorsey, Stephen Peterson, and Joe Hermann.
For more information about graduate studies in Wind Conducting, please contact Director of Bands, Dr. David Waybright
All activities for the UF Bands are housed in the state-of-the-art Steinbrenner Band Hall which includes offices for teaching assistants, a tunable rehearsal hall that can hold over 400 musicians, a world-class library of the finest wind band literature, and the Shannon Kane Conductors' Resource room that includes a study score library, audio and visual media resources, and piano for score study.
Take a virtual tour of the Steinbrennber Band Hall here
Master of Music in Wind Conducting
The MM in Wind Conducting program is designed to prepare highly competent conductors of bands and small chamber ensembles. MM conducting students receive a variety of conducting experiences with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Bands in rehearsal and performance settings. The conducting program focuses on studying the finest wind band literature in weekly seminars and private conducting lessons with Dr. Waybright. Graduate conducting students also take courses in music history and theory to gain the foundation needed for proper score study and interpretation.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting
The DMA in Wind Conducting program is designed to prepare highly competent conductors of bands and small chamber ensembles. DMA conducting students receive a variety of conducting experiences with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Bands in rehearsal and performance settings. The conducting program focuses on studying the finest wind band literature in weekly seminars and private conducting lessons with Dr. Waybright. Graduate conducting students also take courses in music history and theory to gain the foundation needed for proper score study and interpretation.
At the University of Florida, DMA students pursue an interdisciplinary cognate, outside of music, as part of the music doctoral degree.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (Wind Conducting Emphasis)
The School of Music offers a PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting. PhD conducting students have assistantships through UF Bands and study conducting with Dr. Waybright. The program includes a blend of courses in music education and wind conducting. PhD teaching assistants gain valuable university experience through teaching courses in secondary instrumental methods and brass skills. In addition, PhD conducting students guest conduct the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Bands in rehearsal and performance settings.
