Choral Conducting Intensive

January 9-10, 2026 // LSU Baton Rouge Campus

Guest Clinician: Dr. Kristina MacMullen (Baylor University)

Clinic is designed for educators, professionals, and choral conductors in any career stage
(Not Open to Current HIgh School Students)

The LSU Choral Conducting Intensive is a 2-day professional workshop for choral singers, conductors, and educators of all levels to explore leadership skills, rehearsal techniques and physical gesture. Participants have the opportunity to conduct a resident professional choral ensemble (16 singers) and a string quartet while receiving direct coaching from renowned guest clinicians and individual feedback from the LSU School of Music conducting faculty. The objective for participants is to learn, network, rejuvenate and be inspired in a collaborative atmosphere. Each participant will choose selected works for the Friday morning session and prepare a separate work for chorus + strings for the afternoon session. Saturday's clinic will focus on rehearsal/gesture of a third selected work (chosen from our list).

Registration Cost: $300
Deadline: December 14, 2025

The workshop will be led by LSU Director of Choral Studies, Dr. Alissa Rowe and guest clinician Dr. Kristina MacMullen Director of Choral Activities & Mary Gibbs Jones Chair in Music. Conductors will also work with LSU Associate Director of Choirs Dr. Trey Davis.

Please note that you must register through the link via the button below. If it is necessary that you pay via check on the first day of the event, please contact Alissa Rowe at alissarowe@lsu.edu to work out details. All checks should be payable to Louisiana State University.

The registration fee to attend the LSU Choral Conducting Intensive is $300 per attendee. All registrants must complete sign up by December 14, 2025.

For any questions about the LSU Choral Conducting Intensive, please contact Alissa Rowe at alissarowe@lsu.edu.

Dr. Kristina MacMullen, DMA

Conductor-teacher Kristina Caswell MacMullen has devoted her career to sharing music and inspiration with students and audiences. Her collaborations with fellow musicians continue to confirm her abiding hope for the future and an unflagging belief in the power of choral music.

Currently, MacMullen serves as the Mary Gibbs Jones Chair of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Baylor University. She conducts the Baylor A Cappella Choir, Chamber Singers, and leads the graduate program in choral conducting. Prior to her appointment at BU, MacMullen served on the faculties of the University of North Texas and The Ohio State University. Her interdisciplinary work earned her the Sir William Osler Award at OSU and the President’s Special Recognition Award at UNT. MacMullen has also been recognized by TCDA for her innovation in programming.

MacMullen believes that great potential lies in choral performance and creative communication. She strives to guide her students, as they desire to make an impact for good. Creative projects include interdisciplinary performances addressing human trafficking, the Kubler-Ross stages of grief, play theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, archetype exploration, belonging, American song, civic engagement, and the nature of tears.

As an active adjudicator and clinician, MacMullen has conducted All-State and honors choirs throughout the United States. She has presented and co-presented interest sessions at state, regional, national and international conferences. Her teaching and conducting is featured on the DVD Conducting-Teaching: Real World Strategies for Success published by GIA (2009). Her editions are published by Boosey & Hawkes, Musicatus Press, and MusicSpoke.

MacMullen earned both the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University. She completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Texas Tech University. MacMullen has enjoyed a diverse career as a public-school teacher, interacting with students in rural, suburban, and urban settings, elementary through high school. She also sings with the professional ensemble Mirabai.

Day 1 – Friday:

Morning: Conduct selected works with the resident professional choir; receive real-time coaching on gesture, clarity, and rehearsal pacing

Afternoon: Prepare and conduct a separate work for chorus & strings, focusing on ensemble balance, diction, and musical shape.

Day 2 – Saturday:

Clinic emphasis on rehearsal process and gesture using a third selected work (chosen from our list). Expect intensive reps, specific baton/gesture work, and musical polish.