South Shore Conservatory’s Summer Music Festival welcomes Guest Conductor Dr. Joshua Roach
HINGHAM — When South Shore Conservatory’s Summer Music Festival (SMF) students take the stage for rehearsals this summer, they’ll notice a new face on the podium. SMF Artistic Director, Dr. Eric Laprade, shared that Dr. Joshua Roach, Boston University's Wind Ensemble Director, will serve as guest conductor for the 2026 Festival Wind Ensemble (FWE).
“I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for South Shore Conservatory, Summer Music Festival, and our Festival Wind Ensemble students. Dr. Roach is a talented musician, brilliant educator, and great human being. Our FWE students will be enriched from having worked with him,” said Laprade.
Established in 1971, Summer Music Festival is one of South Shore Conservatory’s (SSC) flagship summer programs. It offers student musicians, elementary school through college, the opportunity to improve their technical ability, musical sensitivity, listening skills, analytical techniques, and overall confidence through performing in high-quality wind ensembles, orchestras, chamber, and jazz ensembles.
Before joining Boston University, Dr. Roach held university appointments across the country, worked with pre-college students for eleven years at the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program, and led the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble for four years. He continues to be active as an adjudicator and clinician, and has conducted honor bands and orchestras in California, Nebraska, New York, and New Jersey. In 2027, he will return to California to lead an All-State ensemble. Dr. Roach is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan where he earned degrees in performance, film scoring, orchestral conducting, and wind conducting.
“I’m excited to join the SSC this season!” said Dr. Roach. “I know how much my dear friend and colleague Dr. Eric Laprade has devoted to the SMF over the years, and I’m honored that he’s asked me to serve. I can’t wait for summer to be here!”
Summer Music Festival 2026 runs from Thursday, July 9 through Friday, July 24 in South Shore Conservatory’s Carr Amphitheater, One Conservatory Drive, Hingham. SMF offers both full- and half-day options to best fit student and family schedules.
Learn more about Summer Music Festival at https://summer.sscmusic.org/smf/, or find South Shore Conservatory’s Summer Music Festival on Facebook or Instagram.
South Shore Conservatory (SSC) is a community school for the arts on Boston's South Shore, welcoming individuals of all ages and abilities. With campuses in Hingham and Duxbury, SSC’s arts-based programs provide a creative path for a lifetime of learning, from childhood through adulthood, through outstanding faculty and nationally-celebrated programming in music instruction, ensembles, dance, early childhood education, creative arts therapy, performance, and community and school partnerships.
In keeping with SSC’s inclusive mission to provide access to quality education in the arts for all, the Conservatory offers programs for all segments of the population to enjoy, regardless of age, ability, geography, and financial means. Furthermore, South Shore Conservatory admits students and families of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.