2026 Conducting information will be available in November.
Overview
The 2025 Mason Orchestral Conducting Symposium aspires to be a unique conducting workshop is in service to conductors in all aspects of the musical careers and goals. Past participants have included young aspiring conductors at the very beginning of their conducting journey, current undergraduate and graduate conducting students, classroom teachers, and active professional conductors looking to further develop their craft.
The orchestra symposium will be led by Dr. Soo Han, director of orchestral studies at George Mason University, alongside other invited world renowned conductors, performers, and educators. One of the most important pillars of our symposium is to create a positive and supportive atmosphere where everyone is supported and yet challenged by meeting each conductor at their level of readiness and need. In addition to daily podium time, wide ranging topics of discussion and presentations include; score study skills, rehearsal planning and execution, programming, and ensemble culture.
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion with course hours to be applied towards professional development hours (with administrator approval).
Auditors
Individuals may opt to participate as auditors for this program. Auditors will not have an opportunity to conduct, but will be engaged in the symposium by observing all conducting rounds, breakout sessions, and discussions. Auditors will be expected to play as ensemble members.
Program Details
Ages: 18+
Dates: June 29–July 3, 2026
2025 Tuition: Non credit $695; Auditor $325; For-credit (2 credits) In state $1,178; Out of state $1,392
Location: George Mason Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building
Parking: $35 per week: Purchase a parking pass • View parking map
Sample Daily Schedule and Repertoire
Sample Daily Schedule
- 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Morning conducting rounds11 a.m.–Noon Masterclass
- Noon–1 p.m. Lunch Break
- 1p.m.–3 p.m. Afternoon conducting rounds
- 3 p.m.–4 p.m. Masterclass
- 4 p.m.–5 p.m. Daily debrief and discussion (optional)
2025 Repertoire
- Meyer, Momentum
- Walker, Lyric for Strings
- Dvorak, Symphony 8 (excerpts)
- Copland, Appalachian Spring (excerpts)
Accommodation Options
Choose to stay in convenient apartment style accommodations on campus at George Mason. Students will be assigned to an apartment with up to two additional roommates. All students will have a private bedroom and shared living room, bathroom, and kitchen in the apartment. Linens (sheets, blankets, pillows, towels), toilet paper, and internet access are included.
George Mason also offers a variety of discounts at local hotels in the Fairfax area. For more information visit Where to Stay.
Registration
For-credit registration will open in February and limited spots are available. We encourage students to register for the non-credit option to secure a spot in the program. When for-credit registration opens, please email [email protected] to request a transfer.
Registration Deadline: June 1st
⚠️ For-credit registrations
ATTENTION: For-credit registrations are managed by the Continuing and Professional Education office at George Mason. When you find the course(s) you are registering for please follow these steps:
- Click the “Register for Credit” button to register.
- On the right side of the page, you will see the details of the course including dates, times, and course fees. Click the green “Add to Cart” button.
- Doublecheck the in-state or out-of-state fee selection, and then “Checkout” at the top of the page. This will then prompt you to make an account through the online portal. Please choose “I am a new user or I have an inquiry” and enter your email address and “Create Account.”
- Please fill out all data required and then “Continue Checkout.”
- You will then be prompted to complete your payment option.
- Once payment is received, you will get an enrollment and payment receipt.
Program Faculty
Dr. Soo Han
Orchestra Track Director and Conductor
Director of Orchestral Studies
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Dr. Soo Han is the newly appointed Director of Orchestral Studies at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University. He is also the Music Director of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Board of Directors of the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In addition, he is a contributing editor for Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Strings, a D’Addario Orchestral Strings Artist, a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician, and a program coordinator/faculty member with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s summer Youth Orchestra program.
Prior to his appointment at George Mason University, Dr. Han served as the Director of Orchestral Studies at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio. He conducted the Baldwin Wallace (BW) Symphony Orchestra, the BW Opera Theatre, and led a successful performance tour with the BW Symphony Orchestra in addition to maintaining an active conducting studio.
An active conductor, Dr. Soo Han has appeared with professional orchestras throughout the country in addition to directing university orchestras. He is a frequent conductor for All-State, Regional, and Honor Orchestras throughout the U.S., appearing in over 30 states. He has also conducted internationally with orchestras in Austria, China, Thailand, and Australia. Dr. Han has collaborated with numerous artists, groups, and conductors such as Lynn Harrell, David Kim, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He has produced multiple recordings of complete symphonies and has premiered several commissioned works for strings and full orchestras. He has presented workshops and clinics internationally and for national and state music conferences including the Australian String Teachers Conference, Maryborough National Australia Conference, Midwest Clinic, American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference, NAfME National Conference, and the Ohio University Summer String Teacher Workshop.
Dr. Soo Han is a co-author, contributor, and managing editor for Teaching Music through Performance in Orchestra, Vol. 4, one of the leading orchestra pedagogical resources published by GIA. He is the past president of the Indiana chapter of the American String Teachers Association; the Indiana chapter was awarded the ‘Most Improved Chapter’ during his time as president. Having taught music in public schools for fifteen years, he is a passionate supporter of public school music programs and continues to remain active in instrumental classrooms throughout the country.
Dr. Soo Han received his Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and studied piano with Edward Auer. He received his Master of Science in Education from Indiana University School of Education, and his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from the Michigan State University – College of Music where he studied with Kevin Noe.
Ingrid Martin
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Conductor
Detroit Youth Symphony Orchestra, Music Director
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Australian-born Ingrid Martin puts people at the heart of every musical experience. Her work as a conductor and teacher is shaped by a career spanning music, medicine, and education.
In 2025, Martin joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Conductor and Phillip and Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador and Music Director of the Detroit Youth Symphony Orchestra. This season she debuts with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria, and leads the Louise Crossley Conductor Training Program for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She returns to conduct the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra, following her 2024 tenure as New Zealand Assistant Conductor in Residence.
Martin was the first Australian admitted to the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship Mentoring Program (2024–2025). She was also a fellow of the Australian Conducting Academy (2023–2024) and the Carlos Miguel Prieto Conducting Fellowship with the Orchestra of the
Americas (2022). Before pursuing conducting professionally, Martin worked for a decade in emergency medicine then retrained as a teacher. Her approach to music and leadership is deeply informed by the skills she developed in these careers: listening closely, thinking clearly under pressure, and communicating complex ideas.
Martin has built a global following for Conducting Artistry, her platform for practical resources, podcasts, books, and online tools that empower teachers and conductors to deepen their musical impact. She has coached hundreds of conductors of all levels, and is a sought-after speaker and clinician at international music education conferences including the Midwest Clinic and Texas Music Educators’ Association. Her book Planning Effective Rehearsals is required reading for university music education programs worldwide.
Notes
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding withdrawals, refunds, and more for summer programs.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least one week before the program starts with all necessary details including drop off, pick up, what to bring, etc. Feel free to contact the Academy office with questions at [email protected].
- Non-credit option: A tuition refund minus a $50 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than two weeks before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date without valid medical documentation.
- For-credit option: A tuition refund minus a $125 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than one week before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date.
- Housing: No refunds for on-campus housing will be given after June 1.