Join Us for PNWCI
August 7-12, 2023
For current information please visit:
www.pnwmusic.org/pnw-conducting
www.pnwmusic.org/pnw-conducting
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 sessions
- Sessions on rehearsal and gesture technique
- Conducting sessions with string quartet and piano
- Conducting sessions with the Saratoga Orchestra
- A dress rehearsal and final concert performance for Conducting Fellows
- Special Topic seminars on the business of conducting
- Video and audio recording of podium time
- Networking events
Active Conductor Applicants will be required to submit a CV or Music Resumé, Professional References and Video Clips.
Auditors may submit a Music Resumé or CV at a minimum.
2023 Repertoire in Performance
TBD
TBD
FACULTY

Named as one of the "Top 30 Music Influencers" by Musical America Worldwide, Conductor, DIANE WITTRY, is the Music Director and Conductor of the Allentown Symphony, PA and the Music Director and Conductor of the Garden State Philharmonic, NJ. Diane Wittry is known for her innovative programming and her engaging audience rapport. She is a conductor who “specializes in finding creative ways to make the music fresh, accessible, and exciting.”
Diane Wittry has led performances by the Milwaukee Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Osaka Symphony (Japan), the Sarajevo Philharmonic (Bosnia), Sias Symphony (China), among others. She has also conducted at the music festivals of Ojai (CA), Penn’s Woods (PA), and I-Park (CT). During the past few seasons, she has conducted concerts in 11 countries as well as concerts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Diane Wittry is sought after as a teacher of conducting. Her book Beyond the Baton, (Oxford University Press) about artistic leadership for conductors has become a standard text for the industry. Her second book, Baton Basics - Communicating Music through Gestures, is used at Universities for their conducting classes and for International Conducting Workshops in Bulgaria, Ukraine, and the United States.
Wittry has been the subject of profiles in The New York Times and Newsweek, and has received many honors and awards, including the American Symphony Orchestra League’s Helen M. Thompson Award for outstanding artistic leadership of a regional orchestra. She is also only the third American to be named - in recognition of her leadership in the arts and humanities - the recipient of the prestigious Fiorino Doro Award from the City of Vinci, Italy.
More information about Diane Wittry's work is available at: www.DianeWittry.com
Diane Wittry has led performances by the Milwaukee Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Osaka Symphony (Japan), the Sarajevo Philharmonic (Bosnia), Sias Symphony (China), among others. She has also conducted at the music festivals of Ojai (CA), Penn’s Woods (PA), and I-Park (CT). During the past few seasons, she has conducted concerts in 11 countries as well as concerts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Diane Wittry is sought after as a teacher of conducting. Her book Beyond the Baton, (Oxford University Press) about artistic leadership for conductors has become a standard text for the industry. Her second book, Baton Basics - Communicating Music through Gestures, is used at Universities for their conducting classes and for International Conducting Workshops in Bulgaria, Ukraine, and the United States.
Wittry has been the subject of profiles in The New York Times and Newsweek, and has received many honors and awards, including the American Symphony Orchestra League’s Helen M. Thompson Award for outstanding artistic leadership of a regional orchestra. She is also only the third American to be named - in recognition of her leadership in the arts and humanities - the recipient of the prestigious Fiorino Doro Award from the City of Vinci, Italy.
More information about Diane Wittry's work is available at: www.DianeWittry.com
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Conductor, ANNA EDWARDS musical career progression as a violinist, educator, and symphony conductor has been inspired by her commitment to core values of high-quality musical performance, development of musicians and composers through music education and community engagement. Anna is recognized as a leader in the United States for the expectation of musical diversity in symphonic orchestral music. Leveraging her experiences as an instrumentalist and educator Edwards turned to refine her career as a conductor. After training with Michael Jinbo at the renowned Pierre Monteux School for three seasons, she received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Washington. Currently, Edwards balances her time between conducting in the Pacific Northwest, serving as a guest conductor/clinician across the country, and developing young musicians through instruction and collaboration with professionals in concert settings. The 2020-21 season marks the ninth season for Edwards as Music Director of the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, seventh season as Music Director of the Saratoga Orchestra, and fourth season as Music Director of the Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute. In 2018-2019 Edwards led the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra as Interim Music Advisor and Conductor. She has been selected to conduct numerous All-State Orchestras, honor ensembles, and regional orchestras across the country. |
Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island
P.O. Box 1524 | Langley, WA 98260
© Copyright 2021 Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute
P.O. Box 1524 | Langley, WA 98260
© Copyright 2021 Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute