Midwest Clinic 2022
I am eagerly looking forward to returning to the 76th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago in a few short weeks. There are a variety of opportunities to hear concerts and attend outstanding clinics. If you have never attended, I would assure any band director (and their administration) that it is a worthwhile conference to attend.
I am looking forward to hearing John Seaton’s Wind Ensemble from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts on Monday, December 19th at 3:00 p.m. It is an honor to have my new work “Promise on the Horizon” open their performance – and also equally humbling to have it be followed by Hindemith’s “Symphony in Bb”! Their entire program looks very compelling and I am sure the group will play very well. I was to be at the Wingert-Jones booth on Monday, but I will be stepping into committee meeting on late Monday.
It is always a pleasure attending the Phi Beta Mu International Awards Breakfast and Meeting at Midwest. This year, Richard Floyd (Outstanding Contributor) and Thomas Fraschillo (Outstanding Bandmaster) will be honored. Later on Tuesday, I will be spending time at the Carl Fischer Booth from 1:45-2:45 p.m. and then over at the Excelcia/Wingert-Jones Music Booth from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you have enjoyed one of my pieces from these fine publishers, please drop by say and hello. For those who might be interested in learning more about the masters’ degree options at Messiah University, please join me at College Night at Midwest from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Skyline Ballroom W375D. For those I’ve had the pleasure of working with in our program, certainly stop by as well!
(Update 12/17): I am eagerly looking forward to present with my good friend and colleague Dr. David M. Blon on Wednesday morning . Our clinic, “When Conductor and Composer Are One” includes a panel discussion featuring Laura Estes, Mark Camphouse, and Quincy Hilliard. Julie Giroux was originally to be part of the panel, but had to drop out due to health concerns. Our discussion will explore their conducting experiences and how the physical musical gestures might impact their analysis and communication of their own work. We look forward to seeing friends and colleagues alike at 8:30 a.m. for this discussion.
I look forward to the time there, reconnecting with old friends and seeing new ones, gaining perspective on how to improve my own craft, and re-energizing my professional perspective. Oh, and the food. The food is pretty awesome too.
