The Emerging Music Educators Program (EME) is our future: the up-and-coming teachers of tomorrow’s classrooms. Designed for those in college and the first 5 years of their professional career, the EME program offers opportunities to help bridge the gap between graduation and a career in music education.
The EME Program (formerly called GenNEXT) launched at the 2023 Clinic with a track specifically designed for those ages 18-25. Those over age 25 who are beginning a second/new career in music education are also encouraged to participate in EME events.
NEW FOR 2025! Music Mentors RoundTable
Presented in partnership with NAMM as part of the 79th Annual Midwest Clinic
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Designed for college students focusing on music education, early-career music educators, and those seeking careers in the music industry, the Music Mentors Roundtable is a fast-paced, speed-networking style event with master music educators, administrators, and industry professionals. Participants can select a track - music education, administration, or music industry - based on their career goals and interests. There is no additional cost for this program for Midwest Clinic attendees, but this program is only open to those in college or in their first five years of teaching music, as space is limited.
Choose Your Focus
- Master Teachers: Connect with experienced teachers who understand the challenges of starting out. Gain practical tips, strategies, and inspiration for building a sustainable and rewarding career in education.
- Music Industry Pros: Meet professionals from across the music, sound, and live event industries—technicians, manufacturers, retailers, and more. These conversations will expand your view of careers beyond performance and teaching, and provide insights you can pass on to your students. Along the way, you’ll also discover strategies for collaborating with local industry partners, building bridges that enrich your programs and open new doors for your students.
- Music Administrators: Hear from administrators shaping thriving school music programs, and expand your perspectives on career pathways in education by exploring opportunities across the music ecosystem.
Join us and focus on one, two, or all three! Ask questions, hear career stories, make connections, and get practical advice on how to take your next steps—straight from the pros themselves. Registration is open now. You may attend both sessions if space is available.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Applications for the 2026 Midwest Clinic will open September 1, 2026.
Thanks to generous sponsors, we are able to offer an expanded number of scholarships to the 2026 Clinic, covering the cost of student or professional registration. Applicants must be ages 18-25 and enrolled in a degree program for or working in music education. Those over age 25 who are beginning a new career in music education are also eligible to apply.
SPONSORS
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This program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
SUPPORT THE EME PROGRAM
As part of the EME program, we are partnering with sponsors to offer scholarships covering the cost of clinic registration for EME participants, and are seeking additional support to expand the number of scholarships available.
Organizations and businesses who choose to sponsor the EME Program will receive contact information for scholarship applicants, as well as additional visibilities on the Midwest Clinic website, app, and social accounts.
EME Sponsorships for the 80th Annual Midwest Clinic will open in February 2026.
EME 2025 CLINIC TRACK
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
| TIME |
ROOM |
CLINIC TITLE |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
W185 |
Emerging Music Educator Keynote |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
W181 |
The Elephant in Our Rehearsal Hall: Food Insecurity Affecting Our Students |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
W185 |
Inspiring Leaders through Music: A Legacy for the Next Generation |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
W187 |
Sound Before Symbol: Building Musicianship in Beginner Band with Aural & Improv Activities |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
W181 |
Practical Pedagogy: Level Up Your Rehearsals! |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
W185 |
The Sound of Success: Building a Thriving Music Program Through Recruitment and Retention |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
W181 |
Draft Your Blueprint: Design, Refine, and Fortify a Career Built to Last |
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
| TIME |
ROOM |
CLINIC TITLE |
| 8:30 AM -9:30 AM |
W186 |
No Gimmicks, Just Music: A Band Director's Guide to Making Music with Limited Instrumentation |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
W181 |
Making it Work, When You're the One! The Only One! |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
W179 |
Percussion for the Non-Percussionist Band Director |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
W179 |
You Cannot Teach an Empty Chair: An Affirmational Approach to Recruitment, Retention, and Representation |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
W186
|
All the Things I Wish I Had Known as a New Teacher
|
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
W192
|
Mind, Body, and Spirit of Jazz Improvisation;
|
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
W181
|
Raising the Bar with Middle School Band Magic
|
| 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
W181
|
An Alternate Way to Teach Young Musicians
|
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM |
375D |
College Night |
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025
| TIME |
ROOM |
CLINIC TITLE |
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
W187 |
Meet Them Where They Are: Tiered Teaching Strategies for Concert Band |
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
W185 |
Empowering Music Educators Through Mentorship: Pathways to Professional Growth, Retention, and Longevity |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
W179 |
Four Pillars of a Successful Band Director |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
W185 |
Building Skills for Music Industry Careers Beyond Performance |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
W181 |
A Space to Grow: Considering Psychology and Understanding to Foster a Curious, Collaborative, and Effective Rehearsal |
| 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM |
W184 |
It's A Small Band World After All |