MUS 790: Band Director's Institute 2026

Band Directors Institute 2026

2026 Guest Clinician: Paul Popiel

Credit Hours: 0-3

Tuition: $40 per credit hour (in addition to the institute registration fee)

Course Dates: June 24–26, 2026 (Final project due by July 15, 2026)

Location: Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts

The University of South Dakota’s Band Directors Institute is an intensive program designed to expose music educators to the best in current and standard literature in addition to teaching methods and materials. The three-day institute will include large ensemble reading sessions, master classes, and clinic sessions that focus on a wide variety of teaching subjects for band directors.

Participants registering for graduate credit must pay the tuition of $40 per credit hour on the day of registration, in addition to the institute registration fee paid through the event listing (26SU-BAND). Tuition rates are set by the South Dakota Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice.

Graduate Credit Options:

MUS 793 Rehearsal Techniques and Classroom Methods for the Instrumental Educator (UE1 CRN 56533)
Master classes, clinics, and discussion that focus on teaching materials, rehearsal techniques, and instrumental pedagogy for instrumental music educators. Methods and materials will be available to take back to the classroom.

MUS 793 Instrumental Music for Educational Ensembles (UE2 CRN 56534)
Reading sessions will focus on a wide variety of instrumental music for public school bands including concert, marching, and jazz music. The selections will include previous and newly published works at a variety of grade levels appropriate for all levels of bands.

MUS 793 Special Topics in Instrumental Music Education (UE3 CRN 56535)
This course provides seminars and panel discussions with veteran master teachers and band music composers. Topics include current trends and issues facing instrumental music educators.

Selected clinicians and USD faculty instruct all sessions.