The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference

This week’s #FeatureFriday performer is the U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors, the official touring big band of the United States Army. Formed in 1969, this 19-member performs America's greatest original art form, jazz. The band’s diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, traditional jazz, vocals, and patriotic selections, many of which are written or arranged by members of the Jazz Ambassadors. Learn more about them at: https://lnkd.in/gnSfKB86

We’re pleased to partner again with ASTA on a Strings Pre-conference Intensive on Tuesday, December 17 (the day before the Midwest Clinic begins). Need to learn string instrument basics for the upcoming school year, or want to level up your teaching practice? Pick your instrument for 4 hours of hands-on instruction. This year’s Strings Intensive costs just $50 for students and $100 for professionals, and can be added when registering for the 2024 conference (registration opens 8/1). Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gZ7zhXGW

Congratulations to our 2024 Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellows! These 14 talented individuals will receive 2 days of applied conducting seminars with H. Robert Reynolds and Mark Scatterday as part of the 2024 Midwest Clinic. Learn more and see how you can join at https://lnkd.in/gA-9T7y9. 

Eastman School of Music Percussion is today’s #FeatureFriday performing group, under the direction of Michael Burritt. The ensemble is the primary chamber experience for percussionists studying at the Eastman school, and is a three-time winner of the Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition. Learn more about them at: https://lnkd.in/gYW7MdMC

Meet Jason Caslor, associate professor of music and the director of bands at Arizona State University. He’ll be leading the intriguingly-titled session “Squirrel! Being Present in a World That Doesn’t Want Us to Be,” on mindfulness techniques as applied to music education. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gg6hExYw. 

Dallas Brass is our #FeatureFriday performer of the week! Founded in 1983 by Michael Levine in their namesake Texas city, Dallas Brass has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. In addition to their solo engagements, Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide. Learn more about them at: https://lnkd.in/gVu-y-zm

This week’s featured clinician is Mary Crandell, founder of the The Access Collective (TAC), which provides guidance in developing curriculum to create connections through safe teaching and learning environments. She’ll lead a panel discussion on embedding IDEA in your music curriculum with the TAC Team—meet them and learn more at https://lnkd.in/g4TUsfqV. 

It’s #FeatureFriday, and today’s performing ensemble is the Wiley Middle School Wind Ensemble. This acclaimed group of 6th-8th Grade students was most recently named the 2023 Texas Class CC Honor Band, performing at the 2023 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio, TX, as well as the 2023 Grand Champion winner of the North Texas Festival of Distinction. Learn more about them at: https://lnkd.in/gWKhwnug

Ever wonder how the Midwest Clinic came to be? Look no further than Marilea Zajec’s session “The History of the Midwest Clinic—What a Story!” This unique insider’s perspective weaves a story eight decades in the making, told by someone who saw it firsthand. Don’t miss this session—and learn more about the incomparable Marilea at https://lnkd.in/gkj-qSFc. 

2024 Clinic Hotel blocks are open for reservations! From downtown to steps away from McCormick Place, there are a variety of options to suit your needs: make your plans now to lock in the lowest rates. https://lnkd.in/gne3445w