The 80th Midwest Clinic

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Learn MakeMusic with Your Favorite Band Teacher and Friends

Jamie Cabot; Ryan Ashley

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

W180

Discover how to transform your music classroom using MakeMusic alongside your peers and favorite educators, including special guest: Your Favorite Band Teacher! Explore practical strategies to digitize your curriculum, streamline sight-reading, and motivate students both in rehearsal and at home. You will learn to leverage MakeMusic's sheet music library, customizable practice tools, and automated assessments to elevate ensemble tone and technique.

Wednesday, December 16, 2026

Sound Innovations Is The Answer! Technology, Technique, and Ensemble Training

Bob Phillips; Chris Bernotas; David Pope; Peter Loel Boonshaft; Robert Sheldon

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

W180

Explore the updated Sound Innovations series! Discover how the 2nd Edition of Sound Innovations Book 1 and Spanish Version deliver modernized content for music educators, while a sneak peek at Foundations: Sound Innovations Edition and Center Stage motivates practice. Learn practical ways to use Sound Innovations Ensemble Development to improve tone, balance, and technique. Implementing these resources with digital tools creates a roadmap for student growth.

Your Next Concert Can Open Doors to Dozens of Careers

Annamarie Bollino; Marcia Neel

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

W181

Ready to turn your class into a launchpad for music careers? Reimagine concerts as career fairs where students explore real-world roles in the music industry. Through hands-on simulations and engaging strategies that don't require the creation of new content, you'll help students take ownership of their own learning, strengthen creativity and workforce skills, and gain authentic insight into music careers. Create a classroom where students don't just learn about careers; they experience them! Presented with Dr. Joe Clark, Director of Fine Arts, Humble ISD (TX).

Band Director Teaching Orchestra? Orchestra Director Teaching Band? What You Need to Know!

Bob Phillips; Chris Bernotas

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

W193

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.

Thursday, December 17, 2026

MOMENTUM: Movement Engagement and Optimal Management

Angela Ammerman

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

W193

In a world where disruptions run rampant and you can't seem to catch a break, learning how to channel energy and curb behavior issues has become necessary. Join us for this interactive session to uncover innovative teaching strategies focused on movement, pacing, classroom culture, differentiation, clarity, and so much more to prevent behavior concerns and to master your classroom management.

Friday, December 18, 2026

The Living Score: Composers Speak About Score Study, Rehearsal, and Performance

Brian Balmages; Dr. Arris Golden; JaRod Hall; Tyler S. Grant; Yukiko Nishimura

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

W180

Moderated by Arris Golden, this powerful session brings together some of the country's most performed band and orchestra composers who talk about their experiences working with ensembles all over the world. Learn what score study means to a composer, how rehearsals can be more effective and intentional, and what it means to have a truly successful performance. Discussions will include inspiration, the composer-conductor collaboration, and more! Be prepared to ask your own questions as well!

"Wizards and Superheroes: A magical heroic approach to beginning fundamentals"

Fred Flowerday; Marianne White

11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

W180

It sounds like playtime, but the pedagogy is solid! Meet "The Foundations Series": the essential beginner band and string extension to any method book. Discover ready-to-use strategies that double student practice time and engagement. Educator Marianne White joins series creators Brian Balmages and Fred Flowerday for a session on pairing method-neutral drills with cinematic Marvel and Harry Potter audio in MakeMusic. The result: routine fundamentals become epic, hero-level practice.

Rehearsal Lab with Bangor HS (MI)

Brian Balmages

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Details TBD

Aligned for Excellence: High School & Middle School Directors in Partnership

Evelyn Champion

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

W185

Orchestra directors from Dodgen Middle School and Walton High School share their seven-year journey of intentional vertical teaming that has shaped nationally-recognized programs. While audiences may know their performances, this session reveals the work behind the scenes. Presenters will outline strategies for recruitment, retention, engagement, middle-to-high school transition, scheduling, skill-building, culture, and excellence through collaboration. Presented with Sara Grimes, Perry Holbrook, and Ashley Culley.