THE MIDWEST CLINIC

THE PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS THE PREMIER SCHOLASTIC MUSIC EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA, THE MIDWEST CLINIC ("THE CLINIC"). THE FOUR-DAY ANNUAL EVENT INCLUDES DOZENS OF LIVE PERFORMANCES BY SCHOLASTIC GROUPS, MILITARY BANDS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ENSEMBLES AND LECTURES BY PROMINENT MUSIC EDUCATORS. THE CLINIC ATTRACTS OVER 17,000 MUSIC EDUCATORS AND MUSIC EDUCATION STUDENTS REPRESENTING ALL 50 STATES AND OVER 30 COUNTRIES. THE COMPETITION TO BE CHOSEN TO BE A CLINICIAN OR PERFORMING GROUP IS INTENSE. MAKING THE CUT AT THE CLINIC IS DEEMED TO BE A CAREER MILESTONE BY MOST EVERYONE IN OUR INDUSTRY. THE ORGANIZATION HAS DIRECTORS WHO EACH DEVOTE NOT LESS 20 HOURS EACH YEAR IN COMMITTEES LISTENING TO RECORDINGS OF ENSEMBLES, DISCUSSING THE PERFORMANCES AND CHOOSING GROUPS TO BE INVITED TO THE CLINIC. THE COMPETITION TO PERFORM AT THE CLINIC IS INTENSE. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES 10-15 SUBMISSIONS FOR EACH GROUP INVITED. THE ADJUDICATION SESSIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN CHICAGO IN MARCH OF EACH YEAR. DIRECTORS WHOSE GROUPS MAKE THE CUT ARE INVITED TO CHICAGO IN JUNE TO MEET THE BOARD, TOUR THE VENUE AND RECEIVE GUIDANCE ABOUT THE EVENT. PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INTRODUCE MUSIC EDUCATORS TO AN EXCELLENT AND DIVERSE SELECTION OF PUBLISHED MUSIC. SELECTION IS BASED ON A VARIETY OF CRITERIA WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NEWLY PUBLISHED MUSIC FOR CONCERT BAND, JAZZ BAND, AND ORCHESTRA. EACH PERFORMING GROUP IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM PIECES FROM BEGINNING LEVEL TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR THEIR AGE GROUP.THE ORGANIZATION PRIDES ITSELF IN OFFERING HIGH QUALITY CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS. EACH YEAR, IT PRESENTS MORE THAN 90 SESSIONS AT THE CLINIC AT WHICH PROMINENT SCHOOL DIRECTORS, COLLEGE PROFESSORS, COMPOSERS AND PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS SHARE THEIR WISDOM ON TOPICS RELEVANT TO MUSIC EDUCATORS. THE TOPICS REPRESENT A WIDE ARRAY OF SOLUTIONS FACED BY MUSIC EDUCATORS FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL TO THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL. EACH YEAR THE CLINIC COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD REVIEWS AND SELECTS THE APPROPRIATE SESSION TOPICS AND PRESENTERS.ATTENDEES AND BOARD MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT CANDIDATES FOR RECOGNITION AT THE CLINIC IN THESE CATEGORIES: MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARD, INTERNATIONAL AWARD, AND MEDAL OF HONOR. THESE AWARDS ARE PRESENTED DURING THE THE CLINIC TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO INSTRUMENT MUSIC EDUCATION.