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Tell Us What You Learned
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My First Midwest Clinic (1/18/2008)
This was my first time attending the Midwest Clinic and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my career to date. The performances were amazing, the clinics were extremely informative and the opportunity to see the cultural aspects of Chicago were icing on the cake. Before I left this year's clinic I had already decided that I was going to make sure to make arrangements for next year's clinic as soon as I was able to!
A. B.
Gainesville, Florida, United States
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Another 61 Years? (1/16/2008)
After attending the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic for 15+ times, a colleague asked if I think they can continue for another 61 years. My response was "Yes if they can continue to stay ahead of the curve ". I explained that I went to sessions dealing with the psychology of the rehearsal, Concept Improvisation, and Professional Learning Communities that expanded my thinking and inspired me. This was in addition to the staple of sessions on improving techniques of specific instruments, Jazz Standards, Jazz Improvisation and the outstanding performances.
Thank you for being forward thinking and paying attention to tradition.I can hardly wait to see what offerings you have in store for next year.
Jim Karas
Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
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Intonation Really Can Be Improved (1/12/2008)
Having become callous to the possibility that ensemble intonation really can be taught and improved, I was both masterfully instructed and inspired by John Alan Carnahan's demonstration clinic on intonation. Even despite the large numbers in attendance, I could clearly hear the sounds he heard, the methods he applied, and the pitch clarity -- the inspiring result of his work.
Brian Casey
Houghton, New York, United States
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Singing improves playing! (1/11/2008)
During the Teaching Old Tricks to New Pups, I gained a WEALTH of needed ideas and tricks to try with my beginning (and advanced) middle school band students. I already have my students singing all of their music, along with some other call and response pieces, and it has improved their playing and intonation. Thank you!
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GREAT CONFERENCE (1/10/2008)
Great Conference,
I am ecstatic about the clinicians and the concerts. I just would have loved to personally been able to stay for the whole conference.
My circumstance though.
Thanks
Jud Howry
J. H.
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Tone Production (1/10/2008)
I have been teaching only a few years and attended several clinics about specific instruments. I got great techniques for helping beginning students produce good tone on flute, clarinet, trumpet, and percussion! Since the methods classes I took as a freshman and sophomore in college have largely faded from my memory, it was great to review these basics and implement them with my young students.
, Ohio, United States
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Philosophy! (1/9/2008)
If nothing else, and believe me there was plenty else, I learned about philosophy. Your concert band program must be the central focus of your band program. From there your jazz ensemble, marching band, and other groups can all exist! Now what I still need to learn, how do I sell that to my parent group?
Bryan Clayton
Lansdale, Pennsylvania, United States
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6th graders (1/7/2008)
I learned that we need to raise our standards for 6th grade band students. They can and will play at the highest level with the proper guidance and great teaching. Why wait until 7th and 8th grades?
H. F.
Jasper, Georgia, United States
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My First Experience (1/7/2008)
This was my first time attending the Midwest Clinic and I must say I was impressed. Hawaii doesn't have any music conventions that even come close to what the Midwest had and my colleagues and I were extremely impressed.
My background is in string teaching but I really want to learn to try and incorporate technology into my classroom. Without giving endorsements to specific products, I have to say that the technology labs and exhibits were excellent. I had no idea stuff like that existed. Specifically, the software used to manage a music classroom and arrange music has come a long way since I was in college.
The concerts were also excellent. While I think a number of orchestras in Hawaii are just as good or better than some of the concerts I heard at the Midwest, the 2 or 3 clinicials I listened to at the Palmer House were excellent! I was so impressed and I got a lot about classroom management as well as how to listen to different blends. Speaking of blends, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass was probably the highlight of the whole trip. I have never heard a unique blending of brass instruments like that. It was so inspiring to me!
Although the whole experience was excellent, I'm not sure I'll be back next year. Travel around that time of the year is crazy! I had no idea! Still, I do plan on going back to the Mid West Clinic someday. Thanks to all the people who put this conference together.
Elton Masaki
Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States
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How to Recharge My Batteries and Get Energized for Round 2! (1/7/2008)
Midwest is more to me than just concerts and clinics. This was my fifth Midwest Clinic. I've attended the clinic five of the last six years and take back something special each year. I was there when Frederick Fennell was "hitting homeruns" on "His Honor" with Tokyo Kosei. I was there to meet Alfred Reed, Phillip Sparke and all my other favorite composers and conductors. Just this year, I got my shoes shined sitting next to H. Robert Reynolds. These things are what make the Midwest Clinic. I am always excited, energized and enthusiastic after the clinic.
This year, I learned how to make teaching band (from all angles) more practical and less stressful. I heard that 6th graders can sound mature and have fantastic tone qualities. I am so impressed with the quality of the presenters and the ensembles. It always refreshes me to hear the amazing musicianship on stage as well.
Midwest is always a chance for me to unwind and get ready for the second semester (or Round 2!) I'm always anxious to compare notes with my colleagues and meet new people to pick their brain. I can't wait until next year!
Jon Fulkerson
Pocahontas, Arkansas, United States
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Rekindling the Fire (1/7/2008)
The Midwest Clinic offered many opportunities to focus my mind and renew my passion for music education. It was great to hear such wonderful concerts and see exhibitors that rekindled the fire in me to teach music to my students. Midwest is always an awesome opportunity to get excited about music and I never miss it!
Martin Dickey
Fort Mill, South Carolina, United States
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Conversations (1/7/2008)
I had the opportunity to attend the Professional Learning Communities workshop on Thursday. It was a WONDERFUL workshop where I had the chance to brainstorm with 3 strangers. The structure of our brainstorm will change the way I approach working within my own PLC learning team in my district.
I also met someone who ended up helping me out a TON! After helping her with some recruiting issues, I asked for help with my jazz band. I am excited to implement these new ideas. The PLC workshop became a forum for discussion. Unlike so many workshops, this one had us interacting with one another.
I also really enjoyed the 6th grade band that played. It was fantastic to hear a group of students sound like my own on their best day! Of course, mine aren't able to handle all of that music, but it was inspiring to hear elementary students perform at Midwest.
R. B.
Lake Villa, Illinois, United States
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Teaching in a Small School (1/6/2008)
I went to the teaching in a small school clinic and came away with a few very important tips. And being from a small high school, I found the clinic very interesting as well as pertaining to real life. I learned how to manage the budget in a small-school music program and how to get kids interested in music. I really liked when they mentioned how teachers have to teach elementary and high school bands differently; that we need to listen to the opinions of the high school students. I think it is important to make them feel that they have a say in certain aspects of the band.
Sonja Plautz
Wheaton, Minnesota, United States
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The reality of it all (1/6/2008)
I learned that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I need to do more though. I am on track but I need to stick to my course and not let my band class become "just an elective" class.
This class is a course on life. My class is the ultimate in teamwork where there is nobody sitting on the bench waiting to play. Everyone plays all the time. We, through the use of technology, have taken the human factor out of almost every aspect of our lives. Kids can play with each other and not even be in the same country let alone state via the Internet. Music is very well the last front against the dehumanizing way of life we are developing. My class forces instantaneous human interaction. We are in essence, the keepers of humanity.
I was in the small school seminar - "when you're the only one" when this hit me. It was the topic of discussion with a bunch of us later on.
Kevin Phillips
Oxford, Michigan, United States
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Directional Listening (1/6/2008)
Young musicians want to hear themselves. Often, they play either too loud or play out of tune (sharp) in order to achieve this in an ensemble setting. We as directors must train our students to desire the feeling of an in-tune ensemble more than the sound of their own instrument. We as instructors must teach our students to listen toward specific instrument players, rather than vaguely listening to the ensemble as a whole. Not every member of the ensemble can listen to the same individual. Principals of all sections involved listen toward the principal of the lowest instrument involved; section members listen toward their principal player.
John Barnes
East St. Louis, Illinois, United States
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Finally! I get it! What it takes to get that great Wind Band Sound! (1/6/2008)
Clinic session: Definitive guide to ensemble intonation, John Carnahan with the Harrison HS Wind Ensemble.
For years I have wondered how do bands get that rich, amazing "pipe organ" sound that I always heard at the Midwest from our great service bands. Well, Dr. Carnahan showed us how.
The key is establishing "who is in charge" of the pitch at any given moment (the lowest voice) and helping every musician understand where they need to listen for their pitch/balance reference (principals get inside the lowest pitch in the band, section players listen down the line toward the principal players). This works melodically and harmonically. If the musicians know where to listen, they can play in tune. The resultant harmonics produce that rich, resonant Wind Band tone. Can't wait to get home to try it!
Ron Nelson
Dayton, Ohio, United States
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Clarinet/Sax Tonguing & Organization (1/6/2008)
New approach to Clarinet and Saxophone Tonguing.
Refreshing Techniques for organizing better and prioritizing tasks.
l. W.
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
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My First Midwest Experience (1/5/2008)
I am currently in college studying to become a music educator. This was my first time attending Midwest Clinic this year. I absolutely loved it! Unfortunately I was only able to stay a couple days, however in those days I was able to learn so much to help me in my future career.
Every clinic I went to was very helpful. I learned so much not only about teaching others but also about myself and my own personal character. Midwest was a great way for me to not only grow in knowledge but also experience personal growth as well.
Thank you so much to all who provided informative clinics, booths, and concerts. It was all phenomenal and I look forward to attending Midwest in future years.
A. B., Illinois
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Inst / Conducting Refreshers, Repair, Teaching Ear Use, Mentoring (1/5/2008)
A practical approach to teaching how to create jazz solos including the very important act of singing; pitches in the right key may be a problem for some charts and young students but the rhythmic aspect is great and the step by step will work for anyone.
Expression w/ non-pitched percussion used many great concepts to create more musicality; use of sequences for example really opened my eyes.
Quick and easy instrument repair clinics are always welcome and I always learn something new and am reminded that there are tricks I haven't used but still have at the ready.
A clinic on a working mentoring model for beginning teachers was extremely insightful and I can see how effective it is in retaining and encouraging beginning teachers. I hope there is some way I can work to implement a similar model in my state.
Starting flute and clarinet tone was a good topic. I always attend a woodwind clinic because this is not my forte. These refresher courses are always great because they provide insight from the master teachers of their respective instruments.
Revisiting conducting technique clinics are always helpful. While not important in the one-on-one actual technique building way, they are helpful to get an overview of mistakes in conducting and why it is important that we refresh on our own.
An imaginative listening and creative interaction session was one of the more fun clinics I attended. It was also the first rehearsal lab I attended. The interaction between conductor and students was fun, fast-paced and creative; inspiring them to try new things and in the end sound better. It reminded me very much of rehearsals with my favorite college conductor; a powder keg of energy and extremely creative and used a million different ways to motivate and sculpt our sounds.
Enhancing literacy in beginning band was great topic. Using numbers or solfege or simply by singing pitches to students and having them play them back is great. A practical use of Orff pedagogy (if I am remembering correctly) this clinic was great in creating call and response games to play with students so that they learn the sounds of music. Chord building was also a crucial part of this seminar.
I have attended a few improving your percussion section seminars over the years and they are always helpful. I am not very skilled at percussion so simple things like tambourine technique can make a huge difference in sound. The great thing about these sessions is that there are so many instruments covered that one little improvement on each can create a radical difference in the sound of a percussion section.
N. H.
Morris, Minnesota, United States
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Percussion Concepts (1/5/2008)
Through the Percussion Clinics and the Oak Ridge performance, I gained many valuable ideas for the percussion classes I teach. I got great ideas for literature to play from the Oak Ridge performance. I thought the percussion clinics were very practical. I am a percussionist and still learned things I didn't know. I can imagine they were incredibly helpful for non percussionists as well.
Laura Mohrmann
Greer, South Carolina, United States
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Learning communities (1/5/2008)
I learned a lot about how these affect music programs. We are going to this 2nd semester so it worked out great to have a program about this at this time for me. Thanks.
Greg Lang
Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States
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Too much to say... Too little time (1/5/2008)
As a first time attendee, it has taken some time to process all of the clinics that I took in. At times through the week I felt like I was drinking from a firehose.
Most of the clinics that made an impact on me as a band director were the accidental ones... the ones that I originally didn't plan to attend, but found that I had time between other clinics. Mallory Thompson's clinic on conducting with commitment is an example of this. She is a compelling and charming presenter and gave me much to think about in my own conducting style.
If I had to highlight one area which had a profound impact on me it would certainly be John Alan Carnahan's clinic on ensemble intonation. He opened up a whole new world in that hour and I will begin to use what he taught us immediately. It sure helped that the Harrison High School Wind Ensemble was such a strong and responsive band for Mr. Carnahan to work with.
Although there were several clinics through the week that were "worth the trip" by themselves, this one stands out in my mind. Thank you Midwest... and thank you to all the clinicians.
Alan Cann
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Sousa (1/5/2008)
Interpretation of Sousa marches
Steve McGrew
Seymour, Indiana, United States
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Personal Interaction (1/4/2008)
I learned that having a conversation with a composer is much more beneficial to the understanding of his or her music than reading about them in a book or on the web. The same goes for the lessons and techniques demonstrated by the master clinicians.
E Schoendorff
Manchester, Michigan, United States
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First Midwest Clinic (1/4/2008)
As stated in my title this was the first Midwest Clinic that I have gone too. To be honest I never heard of the clinic until I joined my university's chapter of MENC. This clinic was overwhelming at first, but not in a bad way. I first arrived and received many tickets and a book containing all the events that I could go to or participate in. I was engulfed with activities that interested myself such as the jazz arranging clinic with Kris Berg. Being a saxophonist I just threw a reed that worked well on my horn and played, but the people from Vandoren opened my eyes to what makes a reed play well. I learned that I enjoyed it a lot and will bring my horn next year so I can try products from vendors out and to plan my days out, because there was so much to see. For a first time conference attendee it was a great and wonderful experience. Next year I plan on seeing more concerts to see different conducting styles which will help my own.
Joseph Kuzdzal
Saginaw, Michigan, United States
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Reminders and Inspirations (1/4/2008)
As with every year that I attend Midwest I start out feeling humbled and frustrated that I'm not doing more with and for my students. By the end of the week, though, I leave completely inspired. This year the reminder to cover the basics and not try to rush the students was very helpful. I've returned to focus on the very basics of good tone quality with my bands and in just three days we are already hearing the difference.
I learned that there were many things I didn't know about the bassoon in Ann Dufek's clinic such as how to teach flicking!
Malory Thompson was my greatest inspiration. She affirmed my style of teaching and conducting. Oh, and I can't get Galop out of my head.
Karen Sunmark
Seattle, Washington, United States
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Lots of Information (1/4/2008)
Gathering information, networking, new methods, repertoire, ideas.
Please, keep going with this. It is really great!
Bert Langeler
Zaltbommel, Netherlands
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People are our profession (1/4/2008)
Young and old, we need heroes. There is not a better place to meet, celebrate and learn from the great people of music than at Midwest. Each year, I miss those who have gone on before us..the giants as in Claude Smith, Merrill Jones, Al Reed, Martin Mailman...Fred Fennell. I then remember that I am meeting the new, young people who are taking their places in instrumental music history. There just is not a place or time like "The Midwest Clinic."
Marion Roberts
Lawrence, Kansas, United States
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Why we teach and play music (1/4/2008)
Out of all the things I learned at this year's clinic, the recurring theme was about having fun playing my instrument. It didn't matter if I was trying out dozens of new instruments, talking to the actual inventors of the latest products at their booths, or enjoying the world class clinics and performances by the guest artists. They all reminded me why I started playing in the first place: because it is so fun.
Kurt Zemaitaitis
Plainfield, Illinois, United States
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What can be learned at Midwest (1/4/2008)
Many useful things can be learned at the Midwest Clinic. Attending the performances enables you to learn what kind of music various ensembles perform and how high their level of playing can be. Browsing through music and meeting composers/arrangers in the exhibits introduces you to new music and ideas. Attending clinics can give you a new way to deal with various situations that arise in teaching. Attending the Midwest Clinic can give us a wider view of the field of instrumental music.
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Education (1/4/2008)
I learned so much from the clinic. The workshops were amazing and will be a very helpful reference for when I start teaching.
Michael Hardy
Lakeland, Florida, United States
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Another Fastastic Clinic (1/4/2008)
I learned that each performing group played better than any group I directed in public school -- but that's not surprising, as the groups selected to play are the "Best of the Best."
I met a music teacher from Glasgow Scotland who is a bass player, and who teaches university students how to teach stringed instruments. I'm plan to send him several of my own KJOS compositions/arrangements to use with his groups.
I learned interesting ways to teach ear-training when teaching strings, and how to get a big bass sound from your school group.
Most of all, I learned that there are many teachers who will take time away from their school to improve their knowledge and teaching techniques, and that they will pass along the things which they learned and share programs from the concerts with their fellow music teachers.
John Lloyd
London, Ohio, United States
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The More Networking, The Better (1/2/2008)
It is not a new realization, but the 2007 conference made it more clear than ever how important it is for attendees to have the opportunity to meet one another at the Midwest Clinic. So one of my biggest goals for 2008 is to facilitate networking opportunities through this website and perhaps via official programs at the conference. If you have suggestions for how we might do this, please let me know in an e-mail to kjocius@midwestclinic.org.
Kelly Jocius
Evanston, Illinois, United States
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