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Below are the rules for Midwest Clinic performance programming, not application recordings.

Midwest Clinic concerts are designed to present new music and to assist those interested in instrumental music education in better pursuing their profession.

1. All music played must be published, printed, and currently available to directors; but one selection may be a manuscript.  Rental music will be categorized the same as published music: available from an eligible publisher and shall be considered in all other matters of grading, time, and composer/arranger as published music.

2. 50% of each concert band program must be music published and printed between the preceding year through August 1st of the current year.  40% of each orchestra program must be music published and printed the preceding TWO years through August 1st of the current year. 50% of each jazz ensemble program must be music published and printed the preceding TWO years through August 1st of the current year. 50% of each chamber/percussion ensemble program must be music published the preceding THREE years through September 15th of the current year.

3. Up to two publishers may be represented twice on your program.  The rest of your program may contain only one piece from any publisher.  

4. Music performed at Midwest in the last three years is not eligible for performance.  A list of ineligible titles will be provided to all invited performing ensembles.

5. For every grade 4, 5, or 6 an equal number of grade 1, 2, or 3 music must be played.

6. The major portion of each program must include works not longer than ten minutes.  

7. Diversity in programming and performance is a key objective for the Midwest Clinic. We require your Band or Orchestra program to include at least one composition by a composer from a historically marginalized group such as, but not limited to women, Indigenous/Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander. Your assigned liaison will provide guidance with your selection process.

8. The final program, once submitted, cannot be changed once it is approved.
 
9. The Midwest Clinic Board of Directors reserves the right to assign and delete selections as necessary according to the rules and to make suggestions for performance order.


10. Students must be enrolled in your school to perform with your group (though a former student may be a guest soloist).

11. The Midwest Clinic reserves the right to approve all soloist and guest conductor appearances.  Each program is allowed a maximum of five conductors, including the principal conductor.

12. An adequate number of chaperones must accompany the students throughout their entire stay at the Clinic in accordance with Midwest and hotel policies.

13. The performing groups may not solicit exhibitors for funds.

14. The Midwest Clinic reserves exclusive recording rights of performances and clinics.  

15. The Midwest Clinic reserves the right to withdraw a group’s invitation at any time during the year when given sufficient cause, such as in the case of a director change.  Any significant change to an ensemble’s status, such as a director change, must be reported to The Midwest Clinic immediately.

16. All deadlines set forth by The Midwest Clinic staff must be adhered to and all documents requested must be submitted.  

17. All ensembles except professional and military groups are required to purchase one official concert recording per musician that performs at The Midwest Clinic.

18. In keeping with the tradition of the concert band and the performance application guidelines, we require all military, college, community/adult, and high school bands to include an original march on their Midwest program. Middle school bands are highly encouraged to perform an original march suitable for their level.

19. Your submission of a performance application to The Midwest Clinic indicates that you have read the above Midwest Clinic music-programming rules and, if accepted to perform, will abide by them throughout the planning process. Failure to do so could result in your ensemble's invitation being withdrawn.