USF Band Directors' Symposium
The 黑料爆料鈥檚 School of Music is proud to host an annual Band
Directors鈥� Symposium each June. The symposium is open to active, future. and retired
middle and high school band directors. Participants will play in a lab band (no performance)
led by a nationally-recognized director who will demonstrate the rehearsal techniques
they use on a daily basis in their programs. In addition, there will be several sessions
led by USF faculty, outstanding teachers, music supervisors, and other experts in
the field. Specific clinics will vary year to year, but will typically include conducting,
instrument techniques, arranging/composing, instrument repair, jazz, work/life balance,
repertoire, and much more.
We are pleased to announce that Darcy Williams will be the lead clinician for the
2026 USF Band Directors鈥� Symposium on June 2-3. Darcy is the head band director at
Stiles Middle School in Leander, Texas. Her musical education began in her father鈥檚
band hall in Harper, Texas where she spent her afternoons learning to play any instrument
she could find in the storage closet while waiting to go home. Bands under her direction
have performed at The Midwest Clinic twice (2015, 2021), the Western International
Band Clinic in Seattle, and are consistently state finalists in the TMEA Honor Band
contest.
She is the author of two books on education: and . She is also well-known for her podcast, , which many of you likely enjoy.
Registration will open in the spring semester, but if you have questions in the meantime please reach out to Dr. McCutchen.