PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONDUCTING ​INSTITUTE WHIDBEY ISLAND, WASHINGTON ​ July 29-August 3, 2019​

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONDUCTING ​INSTITUTE WHIDBEY ISLAND, WASHINGTON ​ July 29-August 3, 2019​ ​Subscribe to our PNWCI mailing list for updates!The Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute  held on beautiful Whidbey Island provides a unique opportunity and experience for music educators, student conductors, as well as seasoned professionals. The six day workshop, sponsored by Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island and Music Director Anna Edwards, will feature generous amounts of podium time for Active Conductor participants, networking events, and special topic discussion sessions geared toward the “business” of conducting. Housing is provided in guest homes for Active participants.  ​WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Score study sessionsSessions on rehearsal and gesture techniqueConducting sessions with string quartet and pianoConducting sessions with the Saratoga OrchestraA dress rehearsal and final concert performance for Conducting FellowsSpecial Topic seminars on the business of conductingVideo and audio recording of podium timeNetworking events​

“The PNWCI was an enriching experience in a wonderful part of the country. The ability to work with a great orchestra was remarkable.” – Matt S., Boston “I grew so much as a musician and a conductor during the workshop. To be able to work with Diane Wittry and the Saratoga Orchestra was inspirational on all levels. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to further their own professional growth.” – Kari K., Milwaukee “This has been one of the best festival experiences I have had. Thank you so much for the experience.” – Bobby C., Seattle “As a young woman, the opportunities to study under two female conductors has been so inspiring and I have learned so much in  a short time. The repertoire is some of my favorite music, the location is beautiful and refreshing, and the orchestra has shown such wonderful hospitality and support. I’m incredibly grateful to have participated in this workshop.” Emily K., Nashville What a life changing experience. I’m still processing everything I learned from the incredible Maestro Diane Wittry and Maestro Dr. Anna Edwards. Such incredible conductors, musicians and teachers that I simply cannot thank you enough. Thank you for believing in me, pushing me, encouraging me, helping me to establish better technique, your patience and giving me the confidence to do it. I will continue to reflect and take every moment into account. Also thank you to all my amazing colleagues who made this such an impactful week with your comments, laughter and sharing of life.” Rose F., Jacksonville ​

2019 REPERTOIRE
Beethoven – Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92

Rossini – Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri

Ravel – Le Tombeau de Couperin

Stacy Garrop – Penelope Waits from “Mythology Symphony”

Saint-Saëns – Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor

​FACULTY
​

Internationally acclaimed conductor, DIANE WITTRY, maintains a dual career as a music director and guest conductor throughout the world. Recently named as one of the “Top 30 Professional Musicians” by Musical America (Dec 2015),  Diane Wittry has conducted orchestras in 10 countries in Europe and Asia, as well as her regularly scheduled concerts with her orchestras in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Diane Wittry is the Music Director and Conductor of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra (PA), a professional orchestra with a 3.2 million budget that performs about 28 concerts per season. Diane Wittry is also the Artist Director of Pizazz Music. In the past, she was the Artistic Director of the Ridgewood Symphony (NJ),  Music Director and Conductor of the Norwalk Symphony (CT), Music Director and Conductor of The Symphony of Southeast Texas (TX) where her artistic leadership garnered national attention, and Artistic Director of the International Cultural Exchange Program with the Sarajevo Philharmonic, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Diane has taught International conducting courses and workshops in Bulgaria and Ukraine, as well as the New York Conducting Institute, the International Conductor’s Institute, the South Carolina Conductor’s Institute, her own Beyond the Baton Conducting Seminars and Workshops and the 2017 Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute. An avid supporter of young conductors and conductor training, Wittry is a member of the National mentoring committee of the Conductor’s Guild.

An award winning author and scholar, her book, “Beyond the Baton“, (Oxford University Press, 2007) was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has become a standard, both nationally and internationally, in the field. Her most recent book “Baton Basics – Communicating Music Through Gestures” (Oxford University Press, Dec. 2014) is being utilized by conducting classes across the country.

Wittry has been a guest lecturer at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, as well as other Universities and Colleges, and she is a frequent guest speaker at national conferences such as the League of American Orchestras and the Conductor’s Guild.

Diane Wittry is also an established composer and her music is published by Theodore Presser. 

More information about Diane Wittry is available at her website: www.DianeWittry.com.
​

---

The 2018-19 season marks the fifth season for Anna Edwards as music director and conductor of the Saratoga Orchestra. Holding several positions as an artist/teacher in the Seattle area, Anna additionally serves as conductor, founder, and music director of the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, and is the interim music director of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. Her performing groups have been recognized at the local, state and national levels. In 2014, Anna received 1st place for conducting in The American Prize, a national competition for conductors and musical ensembles community orchestra division and the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra received 2nd place in The American Prize community orchestra performance division. In 2016, Saratoga Orchestra was named as a finalist for the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music in the Professional Orchestra Division.

Anna received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting at the University of Washington and previously studied conducting with Michael Jinbo at the prestigious Pierre Monteux School for three seasons.

​

---

---

PODIUM TIME Conducting Fellows Up to  10 Conducting Fellows will be chosen to conduct portions of the final concert. 60 minutes podium time with full orchestra50 minutes podium time with string quartet/piano  Conducting Associates Up to 6 Conducting Associates will be chosen. 30 minutes minimum of combined podium time with both string quartet/piano and full orchestra depending on the number of accepted applicants.

2019 PNWCI TUITION Conducting Fellows – $2750 Conducting Associates – $1500 Auditors – $500 ​ A $50.00 non-refundable registration fee will be applied to tuition. Housing is included in private homes for Conducting Fellows and Associates.Travel and meals will be the responsibility of all participants. Island transportation to sponsored events will be provided by PNWCI volunteers for those without a vehicle. Shuttle transportation from/to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is provided courtesy of Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle.​

​IMPORTANT DATES
​January 15, 2019 – Registration Open
April 30, 2019 – Applications Due
May 15, 2019 – Notification of Acceptance via email
June 1, 2019 – $500 Non-Refundable Hold Deposit Due
June 15, 2019 – Balance of Full Payment Due

Preference will be given to applications and payment received by the above dates.
There may be cancellations, so please inquire if positions are still available. 
​REGISTER NOWActive Conductor Applicants will be required to submit a CV or Music Resumé, Professional References and Video Clips. 
Auditors should submit a Music Resumé or CV at a minimum. 

---

​Active Conductors (Fellows and Associates) should arrive by noon on Whidbey Island on Monday morning and depart following the final concert. Accommodation will be made for those needing to arrive one day prior or depart one day after the final concert as necessary.  
​​
​Auditors will be invited to observe all podium sessions and participate in all study and special topic sessions. Auditing is an excellent way to study the scores and learn from the faculty and from your colleagues. Auditors will be responsible for their own housing arrangements but we are happy to make suggestions.  

All conducting sessions will be videotaped. Please bring a SD card for rehearsal sessions.
​The final performance will be professionally videotaped with audio. ​​

---

RESIDENT ENSEMBLE ​The Saratoga Orchestra is comprised of some of the finest musicians from Seattle  ​and the Pacific Northwest region . GO HERE FOR VIDEO FROM ​2017 PNWCI FINAL CONCERT

---

SAMPLE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Monday	2:30 – 3:30pm    Introductions, Overview and Score Chat 3:30 – 6:00pm    Conducting Warm-up with piano 6:00 – 7:00pm    Informal Meet & Greet Dinner
Tuesday	9:00 – 11:30am    Rehearsal with piano and string quartet  11:30 – 1:00pm    Lunch Break  1:00 – 3:30pm      Rehearsal with piano and string quartet 4:00 – 5:30pm      Rehearsal with piano and string quartet 5:30 – 7:00pm      Dinner Break 7:00 – 9:00pm      Special Topic Seminar
Wednesday	9:00 – 11:30am    Rehearsal with piano and string quartet 11:30 – 1:00pm    Lunch Break 1:00 – 3:30pm      Rehearsal with piano and string quartet 4:00 – 5:30pm      Rehearsal with piano and string quartet 5:30 – 7:00pm      Dinner Break 7:00 – 8:30pm      Special Topic Seminar
Thursday	9:00 – 11:30am     Rehearsal with orchestra 11:30 – 1:00pm     Lunch Break 1:00 – 3:30pm       Rehearsal with orchestra 4:00 – 5:30pm       Rehearsal discussion/ Q&A 5:30 – 9:00pm       Dinner Break & Evening Networking Activity
Friday	9:00 – 11:30am     Rehearsal with orchestra 11:30 – 1:00pm     Lunch Break 1:00 – 3:30pm       Rehearsal with orchestra 4:00 – 5:30pm       Special Topic:  Rehearsal discussion / Q&A ​5:30 – 7:00pm       Dinner Break 7:00 – 8:30pm      Special Topic Seminar and Evening Networking Activity
Saturday	9:00 – 11:30am     Dress Rehearsal with orchestra (Conducting Fellows) 11:30a – 1:00p      Lunch Break 1:15pm                  Pre-Concert Chat 2:00 – 4:30pm       Concert with Saratoga Festival Orchestra (Conducting Fellows) 5pm                        Post-Concert Reception

*Schedule and discussion topics subject to change