The 2026 University of Kansas Prairie Winds Symposium

February 7th, 2026

The University of Kansas Division of Music Education and Music Therapy and the University of Kansas Bands invite current and future band directors to participate in the third annual Prairie Winds Symposium, a day of professional development for band directors. Sessions include a conducting clinic with KU faculty featuring the music of Kansas composer Grace Baugher Dunlap, a clinic by guest artist Jason Treuting, and sessions with Dr. Emily Rossin, Dr. Matthew Smith, and special guest Grace Baugher Dunlap. Credit and non-credit options are available for all participants. The day concludes with a performance in the Lied Center by the KU Wind Ensemble, Crossroads Wind Symphony, and the Prairie Winds Festival Band. 

Registration Info

All participants must enroll. There are three options for enrollment:

  1. Current Band Director, Non-Credit Option:
    • Cost: $35.00
    • Includes: Breakfast and coffee, clinics with faculty and visiting presenters, and a pass to the evening concert. Participants who enroll as non-credit seeking may come and go as they please throughout the Symposium and are not required to participate as a conductor in the Conducting Clinic.
  2. Current Band Director, Credit-Seeking Option:
    • Cost: $495 for one hour of graduate credit to be used toward a graduate degree in music education at KU and/or renewal of professional teaching licensure. This fee will be charged during Summer 2026 as part of the Summer MME program. 
    • Includes: Breakfast and coffee, clinics with faculty and visiting presenters, and a pass to the evening concert. 
    • Requirements: Participation in the Conducting Session as a conductor, attendance at all sessions on February 7th, and a brief written assignment due in Summer 2026. 
  3. Future Band Director
    • Cost: Free
    • Includes: Breakfast and coffee, clinics with faculty and visiting presenters, and a pass to the evening concert. 
    • Requirements: Must be enrolled in undergraduate music education coursework at KU or another higher education institution. For planning purposes, future band directors must enroll to participate. 

Conducting Session

The Conducting Clinic includes a rotation of conductors with a lab concert band. This year, we are featuring two works for concert band by Kansas-based composer Grace Baugher Dunlap. All conductors will prepare an excerpt to perform with the lab ensemble. Conductors will receive a clinic on the podium from KU faculty and Ms. Baugher Dunlap. All credit-seeking band directors are required to participate in the Conducting Session. Non-credit seeking band directors are encouraged to opt in, and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask that all symposium attendees bring instruments and perform in the lab ensemble this conducting session. There is a limited number of spots for the conducting session. Reservations for the conducting clinic are made on a first-come, first-served basis, with credit-seeking directors receiving priority enrollment.

Conductors may choose any excerpt from the following pieces: Atropa belladonna (Grade 2) or Phoenix Rekindled (Grade 3)

The conducting rotation will be emailed to participants one week prior to the Symposium. Conductors can expect approximately 10 minutes of podium time, including conducting and feedback. 

 

Schedule

Prairie Winds Symposium 2026, The Lied Center of Kansas

  • 8:30am - 9:00am Welcome and Light Breakfast
  • 9:00am - 9:50am: Adding to Your Bag of Tricks with Dr. Matthew Smith, KU
  • 10:00am - 10:30am: Writing for Bands and insights into Atropa belladona and Phoenix Rekindled wth Grace Baugher Dunlap
  • 10:45am - 12:30pm Conducting and Score Study Masterclass
  • 12:30pm - 2:30pm Lunch on your own
  • 2:30pm - 3:20pm Session #3: Professional Learning for Music Educators with Jason Treuting
  • 3:30pm - 4:20pm Session #4: Ensemble Psychology (Olympics Edition): "Cheer, Uplift, and Maybe Drop a Little Wisdom" with Dr. Emily Rossin, KU
  • 4:30pm - 5:30pm (optional) Observe full ensemble rehearsal of Prairie Winds Festival Band
  • 7:30pm Evening Concert
  • After-Concert Gathering: 23rd Street Brewery​
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Conducting Session The Conducting Clinic includes a rotation of conductors with a lab concert band. This year, we are featuring two works for concert band by Kansas-based composer Grace Baugher Dunlap. All conductors will prepare an excerpt to perform with the lab ensemble. Conductors will receive a clinic on the podium from KU faculty and Ms. Baugher Dunlap. All credit-seeking band directors are required to participate in the Conducting Session. Non-credit seeking band directors are encouraged to opt-in, and wll be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask that all symposium attendees bring instruments and perform in the lab ensemble this conducting session. There are a limited number of spots for the conducting session. Reservations for the conducting clinic are made on a first-come, first-served basis, with credit-seeking directors receiving priority enrollment. Conductors may choose any excerpt from the following pieces: 1. Atropa belladonna (Grade 2) 2. Phoenix Rekindled (Grade 3) The conducting rotation will be emailed to participants one week before the Symposium. Conductors can expect approximately 10 minutes of podium time, including conducting and feedback.