Choral Conducting Institute 2026
June 9-12, 2026 | Kansas City, MO
Conduct the Spire Chamber Ensemble
One of America’s renowned professional choral ensembles comprised of some of the finest musicians in the United States
An immersive educational experience for the emerging choral conductor and singer unlike any other…
About
Each year, Spire Chamber Ensemble invites emerging choral conductors and vocal scholars to participate in the annual Choral Conducting Institute, where young musicians travel from around the world to focus on building skills as choral artists. This immersive program culminates in a final performance that is free and open to the public.
The 2026 Institute, led by faculty Ben A. Spalding (Spire Chamber Ensemble and Baroque Orchestra) and renowned Spire singers, offers conductors the rare opportunity to conduct the Spire Chamber Ensemble, one of America’s renowned professional choral ensembles comprised of some of the finest musicians in the United States. Conductors will receive 90 minutes (three separate sessions of 30 minutes) of podium time with members of the ensemble and direct feedback from the clinicians and singers. Designed for school, church, community, and graduate conductors, this institute will hone in on the crucial skills of specific gestural communication, efficient rehearsal techniques, and deeper musical understanding each score presents. The world-class singers of Spire will provide real-time responsiveness full of subtleties of expression that are invaluable to anyone aiming to grow on the podium, all while being surrounded by a supportive and like-minded community. Conductors and auditors will additionally engage one another in daily roundtable discussion and interest sessions. Vocal Scholars participate in workshops covering career development, professional choral singing skills, networking, and more.
Repertoire
The full 2026 repertoire will be available mid-Spring. Selections include movements from Bach’s Magnificat and Handel’s Messiah, plus a wide array of choral gems, celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Tentative Daily Schedule
8:30 am – 9:00 am | Roundtable Discussions
9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Rehearsals/Masterclasses
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Roundtable Discussions
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Rehearsals/Masterclasses
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Roundtable Discussions
5:30 pm | Happy Hour
Application
There are only 14 conducting and 16 vocal scholar positions available. To be considered, please fill out the application form or email Maestro Ben A. Spalding your resume and up to two video examples of your conducting and/or singing which best showcases your abilities. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until the institute is full.
Registration
Choral Conductor Track Tuition: $675***
Conducting participants will conduct during the workshop and participate in all classes and events.
Vocal Scholar Track Tuition: $375***
This track is available to those interested in pursuing professional choral singing. Participants will engage in rehearsals on their own and with Spire. Scholars will participate in workshops with the faculty and members of Spire including: career development, skills necessary for professional choral singing, networking, etc.
Observer: $250***
Observers will attend all workshop events but will not conduct during conducting rounds.
After you have received your acceptance notification you may register and pay for the institute HERE.
Participant tuition will include all program activities for the duration of the institute. Participants must separately pay for their own travel to and from Kansas City, MO (Airport Code: MCI) and should plan to arrive by June 8, 2026, and depart on June 12 (late evening) or June 13 (anytime), 2026. Meals and lodging are also NOT provided. We can help pair you with a roommate if you choose.
***Plus processing fees and sales tax. Refunds will only be issued if the institute is cancelled.
Questions?
“My experience at the Spire Conducting Workshop was truly transformative. Having participated in several conducting symposiums, this one stood out for a number of reasons. From the vocal pedagogy insights shared by Molly Quinn and Nick Garza to the systematic and thoughtful instruction from Ben, I came away with a wealth of new perspectives—both as a conductor and a musician.
Ben’s approach to conducting pedagogy was particularly impactful. His methodical and detailed explanations were thoughtfully woven throughout our four days together, allowing time for ideas to develop and settle. I also found Elizabeth Blumenstock’s contributions invaluable; her perspective on the relationship between conductors and instrumentalists helped me consider more deeply the collaborative nature of ensemble leadership.
For any conductor or vocalist seeking a high-level musical experience with generous, insightful feedback, I highly recommend this workshop. It offers a rare balance of rigor and support in an inspiring musical environment.”
“Ben A. Spalding truly is a human to model after. He has been an excellent mentor to me through my 2023-2024 Spire Chamber Ensemble Conducting Fellowship. Every student at the Choral Conducting Institute can testify along with ensemble members that he *always* leads with compassion and strong humility, wielding a depth of knowledge for the noble purpose of empowering and inspiring people to be more efficient, more clear, more expressive, and more meaningful. He is honest, transparent, and sincerely helpful. Through all of my time with him, I have only grown more and more in admiration of him. He deeply cares about his craft and personally pursues it in the most excellent way, and above all, he cares about the people he is connecting with through music.”