The Open Academy at the Con and the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) NSW Branch are pleased to present the Australian National Band and Orchestra Conference 2026.

ANBOC 2026 offers an array of opportunities to work with outstanding conductors and music educators in a collaborative and friendly environment at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The conference will feature conducting masterclasses, keynote lectures and gala concerts. More detailed information on the conference appears below.
For enrolment please scroll to the bottom of the page.

GUEST PRESENTERS

Cynthia Johnston Turner

Cynthia Johnston Turner is the Dean—Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario July 1, 2021. She also oversees the Laurier Academy of Music and the Arts, a community-based school serving approximately 1000 students ranging from 6 months to 95 years old in the region.

Previously Cynthia was Director of Bands, Professor of Music, and Artistic Director of the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble at the Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia. Cynthia was Director of Wind Ensembles at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and in 2023, she was appointed as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Festival Winds of “Summer Music at Saugeen Shores” and the Wellington Wind Symphony, a semi-professional community band in Waterloo, Ontario. Cynthia has guest conducted bands, new music ensembles, and orchestras professionally, at several universities and conservatories, and honor bands in the United States, China, Canada, Australia, Latin America, and Europe.

Cynthia received her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University, a Master of Education at the University of Victoria, and a Doctor of Musical Arts (Conducting) from the Eastman School of Music. She has received numerous teaching, research, and leadership awards in Canada and the United States.

A full biography of tbc is available here:

Dr Mark A. Laycock

Dr. Mark Laycock is a Professor of Music at Wichita State University, where he serves as Director of Orchestras and Coordinator of Strings. Dr. Laycock is a member of the Board of Directors of the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. From 2015-2024, he was Conductor of the Wichita Youth Symphony and Director of the Wichita Youth Orchestras Program. His work as guest conductor, clinician, or adjudicator spans 35 states. He is also a frequent visitor to Australia, including serving as a Keynote Presenter for the Australian Strings Association 2018 National Conference in Perth, and was a Keynote Speaker for the 2021 Australian National Band and Orchestra Conference.

A full biography of Mrk Laycock is available here:

Patrick Bowen

Patrick Bowen has served as Director of World Jazz Studies at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts since 2001 and Director of Percussion since 1993. Under his leadership, LVA’s jazz bands have performed at prestigious events including the Midwest Clinic, Monterey Jazz Festival, Reno Jazz Festival, Brandon Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Education Network Conference. The school has received 12 Grammy Awards and has earned 26 DownBeat Awards from DownBeat Magazine.

Patrick is the Principal Percussionist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He is also a sought-after clinician and adjudicator, he has worked with jazz festivals across the U.S. and Canada, including the Con Brio Music Festival (Whistler, Canada), Sun Peak’s Jazz Festival (Canada), Hank’s Jazz Festival (El Paso, TX), Reno Jazz Festival (Reno, NV), the Utah All-State Music Festival, and the University of Louisville Jazz Festival.

He holds a B.M. in Music Performance (Cum Laude) from the Hartt School of Music, an M.M. in Music Performance from the University of Montana, and a Teaching Certificate from UNLV.

A full biography of tbc is available here:

Other presenters include:

PERFORMANCES

Performing ensembles include:

Adelaide Wind Orchestra

North West Wind Ensemble

Royal Australian Navy Band

Sydney Youth Orchestra

Dates and venue

Friday 2 October to Monday 5 October 2026

Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie Street Sydney.

Program

The conference program encompasses a wide variety of topics to engage directors of bands and orchestras, educators, classroom teachers and students through presentations, masterclasses, workshops and concerts.

The conference will offer classes in:
Conducting: Masterclasses and lessons for beginning, intermediate and advanced band and orchestra directors led by international clinicians – An opportunity not to be missed for conductors wishing to develop their conducting skills.

Repertoire: Get the inside scoop on pieces that will work for your ensemble as they prepare for concerts, festivals and eisteddfods. This includes repertoire information for school and community bands in two sessions (grades 1-3 and grades 4-6).

Interpreting the Score: Get inside the music: an opportunity to understand how to move beyond the notes.

Rehearsal Technique: An essential ‘how to’ guide for directors of beginner bands. Find out what to do in your first rehearsals!

Technology in the Band Room: Enhance your program by utilizing Essential Elements 2000 online.

Jazz Improvisation: How to develop improvisation in your Big Band.

Registration commences from 4:00pm on Friday Oct 2 followed by a keynote address from Cynthia Johnston Turner and the first conference concert. The full conference program will be available soon.

Prices

The costs to attend the conference are:

The early bird rate is available until COB on 9th August 2026.

ABODA members and Presenters will be provided with a promo code from the State ABODA offices for their enrolment rates

Enrolments requested after Sunday September 20 will be charged at the higher rate of $750

To access the student concession prices please call (02) 9351 1209 to register your details before proceeding with the on-line enrolment process

Conference Dinner