The 80th Midwest Clinic
December 16, 2026 - December 18, 2026
McCormick Place West
2301 S Martin Luther King Dr
Chicago, IL 60616
USA
The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference offers guests interested in music education an array of clinics and exhibits, as well as access to music and teaching icons. The conference will also focus on industry trends and future topics in business and music education. With more than 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 40 countries, The Midwest Clinic offers music educators and musicians alike an unmatched networking opportunity.
Clinic Details
Wednesday, December 16
Band Director Teaching Orchestra? Orchestra Director Teaching Band? What You Need to Know!
Bob Phillips; Chris Bernotas
3:30 PM — 4:30 PM
This session will explore the fundamental differences in pedagogy and technique between band and orchestra settings. Attendees will learn essential content knowledge for instrument families they may be less familiar with, including posture, tone production, bowing concepts, articulation tendencies, intonation challenges, and common troubleshooting strategies. In addition, the clinic will offer guidance for selecting appropriate repertoire, understanding developmental benchmarks, and building an effective rehearsal sequence.