Dates: July 27-29, 2025 (Registration March 22 to July 20)

July 27 - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

July 28 - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

July 29 - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 

Sessions to Be Presented

 

"Beyond the Page: Using Technology to Reinforce Music Literacy in Ensemble Settings"

Shemeka Nash

Description: Discover how technology can reinforce music literacy in your band and orchestra rehearsals. This hands-on session explores research-backed strategies for improving rhythm, pitch, and transcription skills using digital tools like Flat for Education. Walk away with adaptable activities and practical ideas to support student independence and musical growth.

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"Breaking the Glass Podium"

Karen Dowdy Summers

Description: This session will explore the anticipated research on the lived experiences of female band directors in a traditionally male-dominated field. This study aims to examine women's challenges, successes, and resilience in instrumental music education. Female band directors often face gender biases, limited mentorship opportunities, and the pressure to balance professional and personal responsibilities in ways their male counterparts may not. These factors can impact career advancement, job satisfaction, and representation in leadership roles within music education.

 

As this research is still in the early stages, the session will outline the study’s objectives, anticipated themes, and the importance of gathering firsthand accounts from female band directors. Key focus areas will include professional identity, work-life balance, leadership development, and advocacy for gender equity in band directing.

 

This session aims to generate interest and encourage participation from those who have experienced these challenges firsthand by discussing the framework of this study. Attendees will gain insight into the need for this research and how its findings could contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in music education. Through this study, a clearer understanding of these experiences will emerge, leading to meaningful conversations and strategies for fostering more significant equity in the profession.

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"Collaborative Conducting"

Dr. Leah McGray

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Conducting and Rehearsing Workshop

Dr. Gillian MacKay and Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner

Lab Band from members of Guelph Concert Band, Laurier Students, and  Wellington Wind Symphony

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"Conducting Calisthenics - A Fundamental Focus from the Ground Up!"

Dr. Shayna Stahl

Description: Are you in need of a conducting refresher session? Join us to brush up on your conducting skills and focus on the fundamentals from the ground up. Do not forget to bring your baton!

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"Confessions of a Burnt Out Band Director"

Kaylie Hutcheon

Description: In this session, I will share my personal journey through the challenges of burnout as a band director, delving into the intersections of my professional and personal life that ultimately led to this overwhelming experience. I'll discuss how the demanding nature of the job, coupled with feelings of isolation, contributed to burnout and how this affected my well-being and effectiveness as an educator.

 

Through storytelling and reflection, I will highlight the pivotal moments that led me to seek therapy and offer insights into how I regained balance. I'll also discuss the lessons learned in hindsight, focusing on strategies for preventing burnout and building supportive networks.

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"Conquer your Intermediate Band! - with Make It Happen! A New Approach for YOUR Developing Band"

Rayne Ellison

Description: "Make It Happen!" developing band method was written during the last 15 years of my career. It was used and revised in front of thousands of students and many directors as well. Together, we were able to create a "Book II" that is fun, engaging, and most of all, effective for developing bands.

 

The goal was to create a "one-stop" book for directors. This method includes a "book I" review section, exercises, static rhythms, sight-reading, chorales, warm-ups, major, minor, and chromatic scales, an introduction to Jazz, and some unique fingering charts. Also, each unit is based in only 1 key. This allows the students to concentrate on the rhythm concept being introduced without needing to worry about jumping around keys. Play-along tracks are included as well.

 

This method is being used around the country and in Canada to wonderful reviews. “Make It Happen!” band method is an all-inclusive, full-year, method for 2nd and 3rd year young band musicians. It is engaging and based on constant repetition which allows young musicians to achieve the next level of playing with success, all while being enjoyable and engaging.

Repetition=Success!

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“Ears, and Shoulders, and Your Voice, and Your Voice!”

Amy Rever-Oberle

Description: Does your whole head ring after a day of teaching? Does your unappreciated conducting leave you unable to pick up your morning beverage cup the next day? Are you an instrumentalist who doesn’t know how to stop being hoarse all the time? Unfortunately these are issues many music educators deal with and learn to manage the hard way. But there’s hope! You can learn from someone who’s unfortunately done many things the wrong way and can share experiences, tips, tricks, and resources to help you avoid the same problems.

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"Exploring the Thematic Landscape of Jodie Blackshaw's Symphony No. 1, Leunig's Prayer Book"
Dr. Dana Mandell

Description: This session explores Jodie Blackshaw’s Symphony No. 1, 'Leunig’s Prayer Book', a four-movement work inspired by the writings of Australian poet and cartoonist Michael Leunig. The movements, framed around the cycle of seasons (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring), draw from Leunig’s reflections on life, faith, and the human experience. We’ll take a close look at how Blackshaw uses thematic material to shape each movement and how those ideas connect across the symphony. Musical examples will highlight primary motives and compositional choices, with a focus on how the music brings Leunig’s texts to life. This presentation is designed for conductors, educators, and performers interested in digging deeper into the expressive and structural layers of this major work.

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"It's Not Me, It's You: Finding Joy after Leaving a Toxic Workplace"

Dr. Shannon Shaker

Description: Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you work  and how much you do, you still aren’t good enough for your job? Me too! Have you questioned whether or not you’re even cut out for this career, or teaching in general? Same. Have you been gaslighted into believing “this is just how our profession is?” Been there. After experiencing complete burnout, feeling like a disappointment and a complete failure, I realized a secret: Even the Most Beautiful Flowers Won’t Bloom in Toxic Soil. With a good therapist, I was able to make a series of difficult decisions, and believing this profession could be as beautiful as I imagined, I have gone from barely surviving to thriving. In this session, we will look at potential red flags in a workplace, strategies on how you might be able to thrive in your current environment with adaptations, and strategies for transplanting yourself if the environment is untenable. We will consider research that shows why women are more susceptible to burnout in this field, and space will be held for attendees to share their experiences, collaborate, and problem solve in ways we might all move forward to a truer, more beautiful version of ourselves and our careers.

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"Honor Bands! How to Conduct, Host, and Organize for a Successful Event"

Rebecca Kilgore, Andrea Mack, and Dr. Jenny Neff

Description: Rebecca Kilgore, Jenny Stogner Neff, and Andrea Mack will present a panel presentation with suggestions for a successful event. Each has experiences with conducting, hosting, and organizing multiple events.

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“How Opening a Restaurant has Made Me a Better Band Director: Parallels, Connections, and Considerations”

Dr. Brittan Braddock

Description: Braddock's Cask & Table opened in July of 2024 in Macon, GA. Ingrid Davis is Co-Owner and Executive Chef; I am Co-Owner while serving as Director of Bands at Mercer University. In the process of opening the restaurant, I have drawn connections and parallels between the culture of a restaurant and the culture of a band program. This session aims to connect those parallels and show how different parts of your life can reinforce what we do every day in the band room.

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"More Music, Less Hassle: The Case for Professional Tour Planning"

Tim Wright - Guardian Travel Group

Description: Planning a student music trip can be exciting—but also pretty overwhelming! In this session, we’ll show why working with a tour company like Guardian can make the whole process easier, safer, and more fun for everyone involved. We’ll walk you through how Guardian handles the tricky stuff like insurance and emergency situations, so you don’t have to worry about what-ifs while you’re focusing on your students.

 

We’ll also share how our fundraising products can take a lot of the stress out of paying for the trip. From easy-to-run campaigns to tools that help you reach your goals, we’ll explain how fundraising can actually support your planning instead of slowing it down.

 

Plus, we’ll talk about how partnering with a tour company can open doors to great performance opportunities and smooth logistics, making your trip not just a trip, but an unforgettable experience for your students.

 

At the end, there’ll be time for an open Q&A where you can ask anything—from insurance details to fundraising tips or how we handle emergencies on the road. Come ready to learn and get your questions answered!

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"Music Playcations: Gamification for Everyone"

Krystal Williams

Description: Gamification for Everyone is a session that uses Gamification-the process of adding games or game-like elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation. This session will engage participants into games designed to introduce, teach and or refine foundational music skills in a fun and meaningful way. Participants will play their way through several games that are focused on Air Support, Articulation and Rhythmic Accuracy, to name a few.

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WBDI Past Presidents Panel

TBA

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Theme: Following Your North Star

Join us in beautiful Waterloo, Ontario, for our 2025 Women Band Directors International Summer Conference (July 27-29, 2025) as we celebrate the power of women band directors and come together to enrich and elevate our field. Under the theme "Following Your North Star" we join together and unite in the strength and creativity that women bring to our profession. Here’s what you can expect at our 2025 WBDI Summer Conference:

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• Elevate your skills and knowledge with world-class workshops and sessions led by renowned experts in the field of music education. Whether you're a seasoned director or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone to enhance your craft.

• Ignite your creativity and explore new horizons in music. Dive into innovative teaching techniques, discover fresh repertoire, and find inspiration to bring back to your students and programs.

• Network and bond with like-minded women who share your passion for band directing. Forge new connections, exchange ideas, and build a strong community of support that will uplift you throughout your career.

• Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Waterloo, Ontario, where art, culture, and music blend seamlessly. Enjoy stunning performances, cultural excursions, and the chance to unwind and recharge.
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Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired alongside other women who are breaking boundaries in the world of band directing. "Following Your North Star" isn't just a conference; it's a movement, a celebration, and a chance to make a lasting impact in the world of music education. Mark your calendars (July 27-29, 2025) and join us for an unforgettable summer conference that promises to empower, inspire, and elevate!

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More about Waterloo, Ontario:

Waterloo is a dynamic urban centre located in the heart of Canada’s Technology Triangle. With companies such as Blackberry and OpenText located here together with the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics and two of Canada’s leading universities (Wilfrid Laurier and the University of Waterloo), some of the world’s most innovative minds live and work in Waterloo. 
 

The city’s core, known as Uptown Waterloo, is home to more than 400 restaurants, shops and services. In the summer, patios pop up everywhere, providing a comfortable space to savor incredible food, relax with a drink, and soak up the city’s atmosphere. Whether exploring on foot or by bike, in a car, or while riding the light-rail transit system known as ION, Waterloo is a city that’s easy to navigate as you enjoy all it has to offer. 

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Locations:

• All events are at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Savvas Chamberlain School of Music unless otherwise noted.

  • 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
     

Travel Details

Context: 

• Waterloo, Ontario is a two-hour drive from Buffalo, New York.

• Waterloo, Ontario is a three-hour drive from Detroit, Michigan.
   

Dormitory or Hotels

• Hotel Laurier (Suggested) - You have to create an account in order to register.

  • Comfortable, air-conditioned apartment-style residences or dormitory-style residences

  • Amenities include: WiFi, free parking (permit given upon arrival), kitchens with cooking facilities/lounges, and central location, air-conditioning, card-operated laundry, campus and local dining options, campus bike-share program, and easy access to public transportation

  • Daily housekeeping is not provided. Microwaves and kitchen sets can be rented through the Hotel Laurier office.

  • Each bedroom is supplied with a single bed, pillow, blanket, two sheets, two towels, soap, and a cup

  • Hotel Laurier is committed to providing inclusive services to all guests. If you require accessible accommodation, contact Hotel Laurier at hotel@wlu.ca or 548.889.3249.

  • Guest Information and Policies
     

  • Apartment-Style Residence (Currency Converter) - Photos: 

    • ​You need to have your roommates selected when setting up your account.​

      • Three bedroom (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $152.40 - Nightly rate

      • Four bedroom (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $174.85 - Nightly rate

      • Five bedroom (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $220.50 - Nightly rate
           

  • Dormitory-Style Residence (Currency Converter​) - Photos

    • Dormitory Style Rental Rates​

      • Private bedroom (semi-private washroom), (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $69.70 - Nightly Rate

        • CAD $379.60 - Weekly Rate

      • Private bedroom (private washroom), (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $91 - Nightly rate

        • CAD $514.80 - Weekly rate​

      • Two bedrooms (private washroom), (one single bed in each room)

        • You need to have your roommate selected when setting up your account.​

        • CAD $670.80 - Weekly rate

        • CAD $121.65 - Nightly rate
           

• ​(Currency Converter​)

• Delta Hotel by Marriott Waterloo (1.2 km or 0.5 mi) - Starting from CAD $246 per night

• Courtyard Waterloo in St. Jacobs (4 km or 2.4 mi) - Starting from CAD $157 per night

• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton (4.1 km or 2.5 mi) - From CAD $145.00 per night

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo (4.2km or 2.6 mi) - Starting from CAD $154.00 per night

• Holiday Inn Express Waterloo (4.4km or 2.8 mi) - Starting from CAD $162 per night

• Waterloo Suites (2.3km or 1.4 mi) - Starting from CAD $141.58 per night
   

Airports

• Toronto-Pearson Airport (YYZ) - (Largest, busiest, cheapest)

  • 1:15 hour away - GO Bus Shuttle to Waterloo

  • Airport Shuttles

  • ADDITIONAL: Air Canada flights can be found to go to Waterloo by landing in Toronto and then taking a luxury coach to Waterloo Airport (often for same price). You will need to make arrangements to get to campus from the Waterloo Airport.

• Waterloo International Airport (YKF) - (Closer, smaller, services specific airlines)

  • 20 minutes away - Ground Transportation

  • Airlines include Air Canada, Flair, Sunwing, and WestJet
     

Getting Around Town

• Getting Around (Scroll halfway down the page.)

 

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, July 27

• 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Registration - Savvas Chamberlain School of Music Mezzanine

• 9:00 AM - Executive Board Officer Meeting M4031

• 10:00 AM -  Board of Directors Meeting (Executive Board, Past Presidents, Committee Chairs) M4031

• 11:00 - Session 1 - Keynote address? Mezzanine?

• 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM - Session 2 - Conducting and Rehearsing Workshop (M3018)

  • Dr. Leah McGray and Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner

• 4:15 - 5:15 - Session 3

  • A - Mezzanine or M4031

  • M2007 or MFRM

• 7:30 - 9:00 PM - Wellington Winds Concert (tentative) (admission included in registration) and welcome reception - Theatre Auditorium and Mezzanine

 

Monday, July 28

• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Registration 

• 9:00 -10:00 AM - Session 4

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

• 10:15 -11:15 AM - Session 5

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 11:15 PM - Lunch on your own

• 1:30- 2:30 PM - Session 6

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 2:45-3:45 PM - Session 7

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 4:00-5:00 PM - Session 8 

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• Dinner (on your own)

• 7:30 PM - Evening activity TBD

Tuesday, July 29

• 9:00 AM -12:00 PM - Registration 

• 9:00 -10:00 AM - Session 9

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

• 10:15 -11:15 AM - Session 10

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 11:15 PM - Lunch on your own

• 1:30- 2:30 PM - Session 11

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 2:45-3:45 PM - Session 12

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 4:00-5:00 PM - Session 13

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

• Dinner (on your own)

• 7:30 PM - Evening activity TBD or travel

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