What is the deadline for performance applications?
The performance application portal is open February 1 - March 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Evaluations are due by March 13, 2026.
What is needed by the deadline?
Applications received by the deadline, but without all the required items, will not be considered. Please do not call The Midwest Clinic office requesting an extension for any item. Please schedule your photo and recording sessions well in advance of the deadline and submit your materials as early as possible to avoid any last-minute delay. You will need the following when you complete your application:
- High-resolution photo of your ensemble
- High-resolution photos of all ensemble directors
- Bios for the ensemble and each director
- Current ensemble roster
- Three concert programs
- Audio recordings of audition pieces
- Video recordings of audition pieces
- Three evaluators
Is there a fee to apply?
Yes. The fee for chamber and percussion ensembles is $50. All other ensembles are charged a $300 fee. If an ensemble is unable to pay the application fee, their director needs to contact The Midwest Clinic office prior to submitting an application ([email protected]).
Can the application be paid by purchase order or check?
No. The application fee payment page is located in the actual application. All fees must be paid by credit card in order to submit the completed application. Checks or purchase orders sent to the Midwest Clinic office will not be accepted. If you need an invoice in order to submit a payment request to your school or booster program, please contact The Midwest Clinic Office at [email protected].
How long do I need to wait to reapply after my ensemble has performed at the clinic?
The Midwest Clinic requires that performing groups who appear at the conference wait four years from the year AFTER they performed before they may apply again. For example, if you want to apply to perform in 2026, your group must not have played in the 2025, 2024, 2023, or 2022 conferences. Additionally, the following also applies to an ensemble's eligibility for performance:
- If your concert band, orchestra (string or full), chamber, or jazz ensemble has been selected to perform at Midwest, then you must allow four years from the year AFTER the ensemble’s performance before re-applying an ensemble of the same genre. Your school may be represented by ensembles of different genres within the five-year period.
- If an ensemble is student-led, the faculty member must remain as the contact with The Midwest Clinic for all required communications.
Do ensembles that have applied before have a higher chance of being selected?
The number of times an ensemble has applied is not a factor in the decision. The quality of the application is the most important factor in determining if an ensemble is going to be invited to perform.
What happens if the director of an ensemble takes a new job?
The director of an ensemble must be the same person who submitted the initial application. If a director is considering changing positions, he/she should not apply to perform.
Is the June Directors' meeting mandatory?
If a director is unable to attend the required meeting in June, they can send a representative to attend the meeting in their stead. In the past, assistant directors, administrators, and/or parent leaders have attended in the place of a director.
How should I answer the questions on the applicaiton that do not apply to my ensemble?
All performing organizations should use the same performance application form. If there are questions that do not apply to your group, indicate that they are not applicable by typing N/A in those spaces.
What is on the application?
Part I – Ensemble & Director Information
Part II – School/Organization Information
Part III – Audio & Video Recordings
Part IV – Application Evaluators
SAMPLE APPLICATION
(Evaluations will be sent electronically only AFTER the submission of your completed application and therefore cannot be done beforehand.)
SAMPLE EVALUATION
Is the choice of literature for the audition recording important?
- Orchestra: One selection should be a lyrical/slow tempo piece or movement and one should be fast. Standard literature is preferred, though good quality arrangements or transcriptions are acceptable. No concerti or repertoire featuring a soloist(s). If the orchestra applying is a full symphony (strings, winds and percussion), the group must submit three selections and one of your submitted titles must be for string orchestra only. For multi-movement works, applicants should submit only ONE movement if it is substantial in time and content (e.g., a single movement from Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings). However, movements may be combined into a single track if they are short and continuous in nature (e.g., a concerto grosso or similarly structured work).
- Band: Traditional accepted quality standard repertoire would be preferred. It is probable that a more difficult selection, whether new or old, that is played well, would tip the scales in comparison to a less difficult selection played equally well. Concert bands of ALL levels are also required to include a traditional march. Please see below for the recommended march composer list.
- Jazz: Jazz applicants are welcome to submit recordings reflecting various jazz styles using either published charts or manuscripts. Include no more than one work by any one composer or arranger.
We encourage middle schools graduating 75% or more of their members before December to include one additional piece (audio and video recordings) performed by your second ensemble if one exists.
- Chamber/Percussion Ensembles: Two contrasting works in both style and tempi. Standard literature is preferred, though good-quality arrangements or transcriptions are acceptable.
The recording of your ensemble is the single most important part of your application. You will want to select music that best reflects your players' capabilities.
What kind of march should I program for my band's audition recording?
Recommended March Resource List
Why is a march required on the band audition recording?
The performance of a march demonstrates to the band selection committee much about the ensemble. It exhibits a clear understanding by the director and individual musicians of the character, phrasing, dynamic contrast, articulation style, pitch control and transparency of musical lines often overlooked or under-rehearsed by many bands. Additionally, the march is an important aspect of our band heritage. The Midwest Clinic is committed to ensuring this form of musical expression is not lost to future generations of directors, ensemble members, and the world. The march requirement is of equal importance to the other selection(s) you include on your recording, so the same care should be given to each.
Is a video recording required? Does it need to be the same music as the audio recording?
Yes, a video recording of your ensemble playing or rehearsing the same music that is on the audio recording is required. It does not need to be the same performance that was used for the audio recording, however.
Who should write my recommendations?
If possible, you should ask directors who are most familiar with your work and can write on behalf of your ensemble's record over an extended period of time. The committee is interested in learning if the program/director has been consistently performing at a high level over an extended period of time. Adjudicators at festivals are suitable as well, but may not be aware of a tradition of quality, which may exist in your organization. The Midwest Clinic board members are ineligible to submit evaluations.
How can I confirm my recommendations were sent?
When you submit your finished application, the system will automatically generate an email with a code and a link for each evaluator. Evaluators will follow the link and use the code to access their individual evaluation forms. You can access these codes by logging into your account, clicking on Guest Home, and selecting your clinic application.
What do I do if my evaluators haven't received their evaluation email?
On occasion, the automated evaluation emails are filtered into a recipient's SPAM or junk folder. It is always advised that you follow up with your evaluators to ensure they received your evaluation request. If they have not received your evaluation, you can send them a copy of their code and link. For a tutorial on how to access a copy of your evaluator's codes and to see if they have completed their evaluation, click here. Late or missing evaluations will render an application ineligible for consideration.
How should I prepare my application?
PLEASE BE SURE TO TEST YOUR AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY PLAY WITHOUT INCIDENT.
THE AUDIO RECORDING SHOULD BE OF THE HIGHEST AUDIO FIDELITY.
- Audio and Video recordings MUST be recorded after September 1 of the preceding year.
- Each selection and/or movement must be a separately uploaded track and should be itemized on the video recording.
- Your ensemble must not be identified within the sounds recorded on the audio itself, such as in an announcer's introduction or a director's voice (This does not apply to the video portion). Any ensemble that is identified on the audio recording will be disqualified.
- ONLY the following audio formats will be accepted by the performance application system: .aiff, .wav, .mp3, .mp4, .m4a, and .wma. We recommend .aiff or .wav file formats due to their superior fidelity over .mp3.
- ONLY the following video formats will be accepted by the performance application system: .mp4, .wmv, .mov, and .avi.
- The maximum acceptable file size is 500 MB. If the time it takes for you to finish uploading your files exceeds 90 minutes, the system will timeout and the file will not upload. To avoid this issue, it is best to do your upload on a computer that has a wired instead of wireless internet connection. For a quick video on how to compress a video file, click here.
How will The Midwest Clinic notify groups if they have been invited or not?
The first round of invitations will be sent in early April. All applicants who are not receiving an invitation to perform will be notified after all invited ensembles have accepted their invitation. That communication typically takes place in mid-April.
When will The Midwest Clinic announce which groups have been invited?
When all of the invited groups have confirmed that they are accepting the invitation to perform, The Midwest Clinic will post the roster of performers on the website. We hope to announce the list of performers by the beginning of May.
How have groups reacted to being invited to perform?
"The Orange County School of the Arts Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble is VERY excited to be performing at the Clinic in December. We are especially honored to have received this historic invitation as the first band from Southern California (2nd ever from the entire state, I've been told, too!) in the Clinic's distinguished 68-year history!"
Teren Shaffer, Orange County School of the Arts
"We are excited and filled with joy to have this amazing opportunity."
Fariga Etoza Drayton, Nipher Middle School Orchestra
"It is with great humility and tremendous excitement that I accept, on behalf of the Vista Ridge Wind Ensemble, the invitation to perform at the 2014 Midwest Clinic. I look forward to an opportunity to personally express my gratitude to you, the Board, and if appropriate, the panel of evaluators, for the wonderful experience that I know this will be for my students, my staff, and me.""
Bryan Christian, Vista Ridge High School
"We are honored, humbled and grateful for the invitation to perform at the Midwest Clinic next December! Many, many thanks for this once in a lifetime news. I simply cannot wait to share the students from Reading Junior High School with you next December."
Kevin Cranston, Antoinette Reading Junior High Band
"We are looking forward to the opportunity to get to know and work with your staff and continue the tradition of great performances at the Midwest Clinic. I am deeply aware of what an incredible honor this is and cannot begin to describe my personal and the entire KHS Orchestra, School and Community's excitement."
Chris Reidlinger & Elisabeth Hale, Kingwood High School Orchestra
"We have received enthusiastic support from our administration for this endeavor, and the student performers are positively brimming with pride and anticipation. Thank you for this honor – we are looking forward to an amazing journey!"
Ginger Wolfe, Clements HS Orchestra & Daniel Galloway, Clements HS Band