Dates: July 27-29, 2025 (Registration March 22 to July 20)

July 27 - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

July 28 - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

July 29 - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 

Theme: Following Your North Star

Join us in beautiful Waterloo, Ontario, for our 2025 Women Band Directors International Summer Conference (July 27-29, 2025) as we celebrate the power of women band directors and come together to enrich and elevate our field. Under the theme "Following Your North Star" we join together and unite in the strength and creativity that women bring to our profession. Here’s what you can expect at our 2025 WBDI Summer Conference:

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• Elevate your skills and knowledge with world-class workshops and sessions led by renowned experts in the field of music education. Whether you're a seasoned director or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone to enhance your craft.

• Ignite your creativity and explore new horizons in music. Dive into innovative teaching techniques, discover fresh repertoire, and find inspiration to bring back to your students and programs.

• Network and bond with like-minded women who share your passion for band directing. Forge new connections, exchange ideas, and build a strong community of support that will uplift you throughout your career.

• Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Waterloo, Ontario, where art, culture, and music blend seamlessly. Enjoy stunning performances, cultural excursions, and the chance to unwind and recharge.
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Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired alongside other women who are breaking boundaries in the world of band directing. "Following Your North Star" isn't just a conference; it's a movement, a celebration, and a chance to make a lasting impact in the world of music education. Mark your calendars (July 27-29, 2025) and join us for an unforgettable summer conference that promises to empower, inspire, and elevate!

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More about Waterloo, Ontario:

Waterloo is a dynamic urban centre located in the heart of Canada’s Technology Triangle. With companies such as Blackberry and OpenText located here together with the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics and two of Canada’s leading universities (Wilfrid Laurier and the University of Waterloo), some of the world’s most innovative minds live and work in Waterloo. 
 

The city’s core, known as Uptown Waterloo, is home to more than 400 restaurants, shops and services. In the summer, patios pop up everywhere, providing a comfortable space to savor incredible food, relax with a drink, and soak up the city’s atmosphere. Whether exploring on foot or by bike, in a car, or while riding the light-rail transit system known as ION, Waterloo is a city that’s easy to navigate as you enjoy all it has to offer. 

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Locations:

• All events are at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Savvas Chamberlain School of Music unless otherwise noted.

  • 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
     

Travel Details

Context: 

• Waterloo, Ontario is a two-hour drive from Buffalo, New York.

• Waterloo, Ontario is a three-hour drive from Detroit, Michigan.
   

Dormitory or Hotels

• Hotel Laurier (Suggested) - You have to create an account in order to register.

  • Comfortable, air-conditioned apartment-style residences or dormitory-style residences

  • Amenities include: WiFi, free parking (permit given upon arrival), kitchens with cooking facilities/lounges, and central location, air-conditioning, card-operated laundry, campus and local dining options, campus bike-share program, and easy access to public transportation

  • Daily housekeeping is not provided. Microwaves and kitchen sets can be rented through the Hotel Laurier office.

  • Each bedroom is supplied with a single bed, pillow, blanket, two sheets, two towels, soap, and a cup

  • Hotel Laurier is committed to providing inclusive services to all guests. If you require accessible accommodation, contact Hotel Laurier at hotel@wlu.ca or 548.889.3249.

  • Guest Information and Policies
     

  • Apartment-Style Residence (Currency Converter) - Photos: 

    • ​You need to have your roommates selected when setting up your account.​

      • Three bedroom (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $152.40 - Nightly rate

      • Four bedroom (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $174.85 - Nightly rate

      • Five bedroom (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $220.50 - Nightly rate
           

  • Dormitory-Style Residence (Currency Converter​) - Photos

    • Dormitory Style Rental Rates​

      • Private bedroom (semi-private washroom), (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $69.70 - Nightly Rate

        • CAD $379.60 - Weekly Rate

      • Private bedroom (private washroom), (one single bed in each room)

        • CAD $91 - Nightly rate

        • CAD $514.80 - Weekly rate​

      • Two bedrooms (private washroom), (one single bed in each room)

        • You need to have your roommate selected when setting up your account.​

        • CAD $670.80 - Weekly rate

        • CAD $121.65 - Nightly rate
           

• ​(Currency Converter​)

• Delta Hotel by Marriott Waterloo (1.2 km or 0.5 mi) - Starting from CAD $246 per night

• Courtyard Waterloo in St. Jacobs (4 km or 2.4 mi) - Starting from CAD $157 per night

• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton (4.1 km or 2.5 mi) - From CAD $145.00 per night

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo (4.2km or 2.6 mi) - Starting from CAD $154.00 per night

• Holiday Inn Express Waterloo (4.4km or 2.8 mi) - Starting from CAD $162 per night

• Waterloo Suites (2.3km or 1.4 mi) - Starting from CAD $141.58 per night
   

Airports

• Toronto-Pearson Airport (YYZ) - (Largest, busiest, cheapest)

  • 1:15 hour away - GO Bus Shuttle to Waterloo

  • Airport Shuttles

  • ADDITIONAL: Air Canada flights can be found to go to Waterloo by landing in Toronto and then taking a luxury coach to Waterloo Airport (often for same price). You will need to make arrangements to get to campus from the Waterloo Airport.

• Waterloo International Airport (YKF) - (Closer, smaller, services specific airlines)

  • 20 minutes away - Ground Transportation

  • Airlines include Air Canada, Flair, Sunwing, and WestJet
     

Getting Around Town

• Getting Around (Scroll halfway down the page.)

 

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, July 27

• 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Registration - Savvas Chamberlain School of Music Mezzanine

• 9:00 AM - Executive Board Officer Meeting M4031

• 10:00 AM -  Board of Directors Meeting (Executive Board, Past Presidents, Committee Chairs) M4031

• 11:00 - Session 1 - Keynote address? Mezzanine?

• 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM - Session 2 - Conducting and Rehearsing Workshop (M3018)

  • Dr. Leah McGray and Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner

• 4:15 - 5:15 - Session 3

  • A - Mezzanine or M4031

  • M2007 or MFRM

• 7:30 - 9:00 PM - Wellington Winds Concert (tentative) (admission included in registration) and welcome reception - Theatre Auditorium and Mezzanine

 

Monday, July 28

• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Registration 

• 9:00 -10:00 AM - Session 4

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

• 10:15 -11:15 AM - Session 5

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 11:15 PM - Lunch on your own

• 1:30- 2:30 PM - Session 6

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 2:45-3:45 PM - Session 7

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 4:00-5:00 PM - Session 8 

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• Dinner (on your own)

• 7:30 PM - Evening activity TBD

Tuesday, July 29

• 9:00 AM -12:00 PM - Registration 

• 9:00 -10:00 AM - Session 9

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

• 10:15 -11:15 AM - Session 10

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 11:15 PM - Lunch on your own

• 1:30- 2:30 PM - Session 11

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 2:45-3:45 PM - Session 12

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

  • B - Mezzanine

• 4:00-5:00 PM - Session 13

  • A - Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

• Dinner (on your own)

• 7:30 PM - Evening activity TBD or travel

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