The Midwest Clinic

This past week, I had the pleasure and opportunity to attend my 10th Midwest Clinic! By far, it's one of the largest band and orchestra conferences in the world, and I got to connect/reconnect with teachers, mentors, and colleagues from around the world. The clinic features many sessions that would benefit directors at all levels, as well as awesome concerts given by some really prominent programs and colleges! It's a must for any band or orchestra director to attend this conference as often as possible! Until next year Chicago. In case you're wondering, below is brief history of the clinic (Source:Midwest Clinic website):

The Midwest Clinic began on Dec. 7, 1946, when approximately 120 directors from the Chicago area assembled in a YMCA gymnasium on Chicago’s West Side for a six-hour clinic and new music reading session. In 1947, the event was expanded to two days and moved to the Hotel Sherman to take advantage of the larger music conference-compatible facilities and accommodations for out-of-town directors. Besides the two-day format, this second installment brought many new features, including a printed program, an additional band and a new name: The Midwest Band Clinic. The VanderCook School of Music, Neil A. Kjos Music Company and Lyons Band Instrument Company sponsored the music conference. For the next 25 years, the Hotel Sherman was home to The Midwest Band Clinic. In the 1950s, orchestras and jazz ensembles were introduced, and in 1962, The Midwest Band Clinic held its first official Orchestra Day. In 1963, the music conference expanded to a four-and-a-half-day format. In 1973, The Midwest Band Clinic moved to the Hilton Chicago, where, with several nearby venues, it was held until 2008. In 1995, the Blackstone Hotel was used in addition to the Hilton for hosting clinic conference events. With the addition of this facility, The Midwest Band Clinic was able to present more clinics than ever in its history. In 1999, the Congress Plaza replaced the Blackstone Hotel as the second site of music conference events. The Blackstone Hotel and Merle Reskin Theatre were used as additional sites in 2008. In 2009, The Midwest Band Clinic moved to McCormick Place West, bringing all the music conference programs and exhibits under one roof.

There you have it! I hope to see my colleagues there again next December, and hope to meet new ones along the way! Until next year Chi-town!!!

#professionaldevelopment #midwest #travel