UA Little Rock’s Department of Music recently hosted its second annual Choral Conducting Symposium from July 16 to 18, 2023. This three-day event brought together conductors from across Arkansas to refine their skills and enhance their artistry in a collaborative environment.
Building Community Among Conductors
Led by Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, and Dr. Nickolas Doshier, director of music education, the symposium focused on intensive training for music educators, church musicians, and aspiring conductors. The sessions included conducting techniques, rehearsal strategies, and score analysis, offering a comprehensive approach to music leadership.
“Conductors often work in isolation, leading their own ensembles without many opportunities for feedback or collaboration,” Mason stated. “This symposium is about building community. Conductors can connect, share ideas, and grow together. That collaborative spirit is not only my favorite part of the event, but also one of the most powerful tools for professional growth.”
Participants ranged from full conductors to auditors and volunteer ensemble singers, including many current students from UA Little Rock. Full conductors engaged in rehearsals each day, benefiting from structured feedback and video recordings to aid in their self-assessment.
“This year we had five full participants, each conducting six times for a total of 90 minutes of podium time,” Doshier explained. “That kind of concentrated, intentional practice is rare once you’re in the field. These conductors stepped outside their comfort zones and made bold artistic choices. It was inspiring to watch their confidence grow.”
Personal Growth and Development
Among the attendees was Shannon Webb, associate director of music and worship arts at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. She expressed appreciation for the supportive environment and personalized instruction available at the symposium.
“I earned my master’s degree nearly a decade ago, and it’s easy to stagnate in this field if you’re not careful,” Webb noted. “This symposium gives me the chance to brush up on skills, receive meaningful feedback, and return to my choir with a bigger toolbox.”
Webb, who transitioned from a professional performer to church music leadership during the pandemic, found the event invaluable for refining her conducting style. “Because of my performing background, I can be very animated on the podium,” she reflected. “I’ve been working on ‘quieting the noise’—making my gestures more intentional and clearer.”
Another participant, Jeremy Wayne, choir director at Sheridan High School, also highlighted the benefits of the experience. After shifting careers from nonprofit leadership to music education, Wayne attended the symposium to enhance his conducting technique.
“I’ve learned how to connect more directly with the singers and to get out of the way as a conductor,” he explained. “I try to let the music breathe instead of trying to control every beat. Watching the other conductors grow and getting feedback in real time helped me push my own boundaries.”
Doshier emphasized the importance of professional development opportunities like the Choral Conducting Symposium for the region. “Many conductors receive their only formal training in college,” he said. “Once they’re in classrooms or churches leading rehearsals every day, their ability to communicate expressively through gestures becomes their primary teaching tool. Opportunities like this help them grow in that role, which benefits not just their ensembles but the entire musical community.”
Participants also earned up to 18 professional development hours at no additional cost, an attractive benefit for Arkansas music educators seeking quality training. Webb remarked, “Symposiums like this are rare in Central Arkansas. It’s not just something we want as professionals; it’s something we need.”
With overwhelmingly positive feedback from both years of the symposium, Mason and Doshier aim to expand the program, serving even more conductors in the future. The commitment to fostering growth in music education reflects a vital investment in the artistic community across Arkansas.
