MusTech.Net!

I just received an email from the Midwest Clinic announcing the presenters and clinics for this year.  If you are a band, orchestra, or music educator that has not made the “pilgrimage” to Chicago for the Midwest clinic, I STRONGLY encourage you to consider going this year.  Attending the Midwest clinic will positively change your outlook about our profession regardless of where you are currently “at” in your career and current situation.

One of the most interesting clinics I attend last year featured Francis McBeth, James Barnes, Eric Ewazen, and Mark Rodgers.  It was entitled, “So you want to be a composer”and I wrote about it here if you are interested in reading abou it.

The clinics look to be very interesting this year; here is the tentative list of presentations and presenters from the Midwest Clinic site (You can pre-register for Midwest here):

Developing the Basic Fundamentals and Musical Integrity of Young Oboists
Ann Adams 
 
Anyone Can Improvise
Jamey Aebersold 
 
Music Teaching and Learning from a Distance: Viable and Effective Through Technology
Paul Bauer, Greg Howe, Christianne Orto 
 
It’s Gotta Work–Now! Maintenance of Instruments for the Hectic Band Room
Greg Beckwith, John Huth, Lucas Pemberton 
 
There is Hope! Your Low Brass Does Not Need to Sound Like Electric Yard Trimmers
Roger Behrend 
 
The Care and Upkeep of the Music Director’s Body
Jeffrey Bishop 
 

(more…)

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I’m excited to be a part of the PA intercollegiate band festival this year as I have been for the past decade.  This year the festival is being held at the newly finished Swope Auditorium at West Chester University. 

This is the 61st Annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band festival and is the longest running state band festival of its kind.   This year Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York is the conductor of the festival band.  The concert is being hosted by Dr. John Villella and Dr. Andrew Yozviak of West Chester University.

The concert is open to the public and will be held within Swope Hall, at West Chester Unviersity, on Sunday March 9th at 2:30 p.m.  The concert program is as follows:

• The Star Spangled Banner  -John Smith/James Swearingen
• Salute to P.M.E.A. - A.D. Davenport
• Celebration Fanfare  -Steven Reinecke
• Symphonies of Gaia -Jayce Orgen
• Vigils Keep- Julie Giroux
• British Eighth March -Zo Elliott
• Lux Aurumque -Eric Whitacre
• Machu Picchu -Satoshi Yaisawa

(more…)

Well, I’m off.  I’m off to the see the wonders of the Midwest Clinic.  This will be my 12th or 13th trip…I’m not sure. 

If you are a band director or orchestra director, in my opinion, this is a MUST do often type of clinic.  If you’ve never been to this clinic (or the Texas Bandmasters Clinic), then I strongly encourage you to attend this in the near future.   Attending this clinic, may very well change your outlook on what you do (certainly for the better)!

The Midwest Clinic is always held this time of year and has been in Chicago for as long as I can remember.   Ever publisher that is publishing, every instrument maker that is making, every technology provider that is providing, and anyone who is anyone in our field can usually be found out there.  The days are full of concerts, information, exchange of information, learning sessions, and more.

Here is a list of the performers schedule of events for 2007:

http://www.midwestclinic.org/performers/schedule.asp

If you happen to see me there, make sure you say hello!