2025 East Carolina University Wind Conducting Symposium
December 6-7, 2025
Overview
The ECU Wind Conducting Symposium is designed to help conductors improve their skills and introduce practice techniques through work with the wind band. Participants will conduct the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the premiere concert band at East Carolina University, and work with teachers from North Carolina and beyond to improve their skills. There will be opportunities to hear lectures, ask questions, and learn from others as the symposium is a place of growth and building. Conducting, rehearsing and listening skills will all be addressed.
Instructors
Caroline Beatty
As Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Texas State University, Caroline Beatty conducts the Texas State Wind Symphony, leads the graduate wind band conducting program, teaches undergraduate conducting and band literature courses, and provides primary oversight for the comprehensive band program. Performances under her direction garner consistent accolades from audience members, composers, and fellow performers for their artistry, excitement, and craft. The Texas State University Wind Symphony has been recognized for musical excellence through multiple invitations to perform for the National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association, the Southwestern Division of CBDNA, and the Texas Music Educators Association.
Dedicated to the perpetuation of ensemble art, Dr. Beatty maintains a vibrant conducting and teaching schedule outside of TXST engaging with professional teachers and performers, university students, and secondary students nationally and internationally.
Prior to her current position, Dr. Beatty held the position of Associate Director of Bands at Texas State University and Northwestern State University-Louisiana. Her secondary school teaching experience includes thirteen years as a high school band director in the Houston area. She holds the DMA degree in Conducting from the University of Michigan and both a MM degree in Conducting and a BM degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Beatty has served as the President of the Southwestern Division of CBDNA and also holds membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu – International Bandmasters Fraternity. In March 2026, she will be inducted into the American Bandmasters Association.
William Staub
William Staub is in his 14th year at East Carolina University and sixth year as Director of Bands. He oversees the band programs at ECU, conducts and directs the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and teaches conducting and music education courses. Since arriving at ECU, Staub has conducted multiple world premieres including works by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Melinda Wagner, Grawemeyer winning composer Lei Liang and Guggenheim Fellow Ed Jacobs. Dr. Staub and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble were invited to perform at the NCMEA convention in 2022.
Prior to becoming director of bands, Staub served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at ECU. Under his direction, the ECU Marching Pirates performed at a Carolina Panthers football game, the Superdome and Tropicana Field in addition to many exhibitions throughout North Carolina.
Dr. Staub came to ECU from Iowa State University where he served as Assistant Director of Bands with duties including assisting with the Cyclone Marching Band and conducting the Symphonic and Concert Bands. Staub has also taught public school in Austin, Texas at Grisham Middle School. While there, he co-conducted the Grisham Middle School Symphony Orchestra at their performance at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.
In addition to his formal teaching positions, Dr. Staub is highly in demand as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor. His residencies have included the University of Akron, Michigan State University, New Mexico State University, UNC-Wilmington, Duke University, the University of Georgia, Western Washington University, and the University of Puget Sound. In 2010, he participated in the West Point Conducting Workshop where he guest conducted the West Point Band in concert. In 2017, Staub served as one of the conductors for the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria. Since 2015, Dr. Staub has served as conductor of the Symphonic Band at the New England Music Camp in Sidney, Maine.
Staub received his Doctor of Musical Arts from Northwestern University, where he was a conducting student of Mallory Thompson; his master’s degree in conducting from Michigan State University, where he was a student of Kevin Sedatole; and his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University, where he studied euphonium with Sam Pilafian and conducting with Gary Hill. In 2018, Dr. Staub received the ECU Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award. In 2019, he received the East Carolina Creed faculty award for Integrity. Staub is a member of NCMEA, CBDNA, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Kappa Phi and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Conducting Participants and Non-conducting Auditors
There are three ways to become involved in the ECU Wind Conducting Symposium:
Participant
Participants will conduct the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble in a variety of wind band compositions. These conducting sessions (each conducting participant will conduct 3 times) will be guided by the clinicians so each participant may receive individualized feedback. These interactions will be recorded and shared with the participants. In addition, the participants will be learning as the other conductors work with the ensemble and the clinicians. There is a limit of 18 participants for this symposium.
Auditors
Auditors will participate throughout the symposium without conducting the band. Auditors will have access to all of the events and lectures. There is no limit for the amount of symposium auditors.
Undergraduate Auditors
Auditors who are current undergraduate students will participate throughout the symposium without conducting the band. Undergraduate Auditors will have access to all of the events and lectures. There is no limit for the amount of symposium Undergraduate Auditors.
Registration
Registration for the symposium will begin on September 9th, 2025 at 12 PM EST. Spots for Conducting Participants will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Repertoire
The repertoire covered at the ECU Wind Conducting Symposium will include the following:
Gustav Holst (Colin Mathews Edition), First Suite in Eb Major
Oscar Navarro, Downey Overture
Hugh M. Stuart, Three Ayres from Gloucester
Igor Stravinsky, Octet (Mvt. 1 only)
Charles Gounod, Petite Symphonie (Mvt. 1 only)
The scores for these pieces are available from a number of vendors for purchase.
Payment
The cost for conducting participants is $260.00 for the symposium. The cost for non-conducting auditors is $40.00/day of the symposium (both days would be $80.00). The cost for Undergraduate, non-conducting auditors is $25 total. Payment and registration can be completed through Touchnet at:
Questions
Any questions can be addressed to Dr. William Staub, Director of Bands, at staubw@ecu.edu.