The Wind Band Institute gave me resources and skills to help my students reach a higher level of musicianship and performance. |
Frequently Asked QuestionsWho should attend the Wind Band Institute - Is this experience for me? The Wind Band Institute is designed for practicing wind band educators of all abilities and backgrounds. The curriculum provides both single-focused sessions that all WBI participants attend, as well as break out sessions that enable a more “customized” approach to learning and growth. Those who benefit the most are those truly interested in increasing their effectiveness as a teacher within the wind band setting. The educational background of participants range from first-year teachers through highly experienced wind band educators, from small school settings to large, and from highly supported arts communities to those where you feel as if you are the only one bringing the arts to your local area! The richness of the workshop experience is increased by the diversity of the participants. All are welcome! An additional goal for the Institute will be to establish a respectful and collegial atmosphere were all enjoy learning and laughing with one another. Can I attend if I am still in college? NEW for 2008! Those currently enrolled in a college music program may attend the The Wind Band Institute at a 60% discount. Our hope is to encourage and foster new conductors by making the Institute as affordable as possible. Which instrument(s) should I bring with me? Please bring your principal instrument with you to the Wind Band Institute. For those who are comfortable on multiple instruments, please indicate so on the registration form. You may also wish to bring an instrument for an individual lesson with Concordia College faculty during the workshop. For those who play larger instruments (e.g. tuba, baritone saxophone, etc), WBI can help provide an instrument to use during the workshop. Please be certain to indicate on the registration form the instrument you will bring and/or the instrument you would like to borrow. Can I come for just a day or two? The Wind Band Institute curriculum is designed for consumption over four days. This will allow you to hear all of our guest clinician and forge new professional friendships with other band directors from across the region and country. Requests for partial enrollment will be handled on an individual basis. Please contact WBI Manager Gordon Moe with questions about partial participation. How much playing will we actually do? The Institute Wind Band will rehearse at least once per day facilitating repertoire reading sessions and conducting/rehearsal technique sessions for the WBI participant community. What are my options for improving my conducting technique? Various sessions throughout the Institute conducting technique. For those wishing for more focus on conducting, we offer a conducting option. Learn more here. Do you offer scholarships? The primary goal of the Wind Band Institute is to nurture and improve the teaching effectiveness of wind band educators. WBI is particularly committed to nurturing and supporting the upcoming generation of wind band educators through two full-tuition Young Wind Band Educator Scholarships. Learn more. Can I stay in the dorm if I arrive early or depart late? The Wind Band Institute is scheduled so that individuals flying into Fargo can take advantage of a Saturday overnight and receive a less expensive plane fare. You are welcome to arrive early or depart late to accommodate your travel schedule. If you would like to book your dorm for additional nights, please let us know the specific evenings you will require housing. The fee for additional nights of housing is only $39 per additional night regardless of the housing option you select. The housing fees on the registration form include the evenings of June 23, 24 and 25. When exactly does the Wind Band Institute start and end? Our first downbeat is 12:45 p.m on Monday, June 23rd. The Wind Band Institute concludes mid-afternoon Thursday, June 26th. When is the Shuttle Van available and how do I spot the van driver at the airport? We operate our own shuttle van and we make it available at any time to accommodate your travel to and from the Fargo International Airport. We often times shuttle people leaving on flights departing at 5:00 AM. Our shuttle van driver will be holding a Wind Band Institute sign and will be looking for you since you will have forwarded your complete flight arrival and departure information. We are unable to offer shuttle service to and from campus during the week. If you require this, we recommend renting a car. NOTE: We do not offer shuttle service to and from either Sioux Falls, SD or Minneapolis. Both cities are approximately 4 hours from our location. Can my spouse come with me and what would their expense be? Non-participating spouses are welcome to come to the Wind Band Institute with you. They will find the facilities excellent for relaxing, reading or just hanging out on a small campus. The library is available during the Wind Band Institute. Their only expense will be their housing fee and meal fee (should they choose the meal plan). The shuttle van fee may also apply. Deposit timeframe, balance due payments and the Early Bird fee... The time at which we receive your $150 deposit determines whether you receive the Early Bird tuition fee and the order in which your housing request will be filled. Your balance due (as defined by your confirmation letter) will be collected on June 23rd during registration. We are unable to accept credit cards. If I arrive early or depart late, what are my food options? Fast food restaurants and a grocery store are both a short 10-minute walk from campus. The campus cafeteria is also open and will serve you meals beyond our 'meal plan.' We do not need to know your extra meal plans in advance, as this will be your responsibility. What is there to see and do in the Fargo/Moorhead area? For more information on what to see and do, please visit the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau website. What are my options for Internet access? There are active RJ45 Ethernet ports in all campus housing which will require an Ethernet cable to connect your computer. We do not provide cables. At this time, there is limited wireless access on campus. Wireless access is available from various coffee shops located north of campus. The college library has a computer lab. The reference librarian can provide you with a temporary login and password to gain access. Can I pay with my credit card? At this time, we are not set up to accept credit cards for either tuition or in our Wind Band Institute Store. What is the Wind Band Institute Store all about? We hope to provide an excellent service to our participants by providing a wonderful selection of instrumental resource books useful to the band director. We anticipate that the store will be a huge success. Please consider bringing a personal check or school purchase order number with you so that we can bill you for items you choose to purchase for your professional needs. I've never been to Minnesota - what will the temperature be like? Temperatures could range from the mid 70's to mid 90's. Though it is not typical, we may have high humidity. It is also possible that it may rain. Since there is some walking from the rehearsal facilities to the food service and your housing, an umbrella is recommended. View the current weather in Moorhead. (note: this opens in a new window) I have read the above. Now what if I have a different question? Please contact Gordon Moe, manager of the Wind Band Institute, either or by calling (218) 486-5601. |