Music Educators off to the Windy City!

Emeritus Director of Music from Archbishop Beck Catholic College Mr. Bruce Hicks and the College’s Junior Band Director Mr. Chris Tratt were delighted this week to receive their invitation to attend the 70th Annual Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Mr. Hicks said that we were in for 5 days of intensive music education, offered nowhere else in the world. Having attended the conference with a party of Archbishop Beck Catholic College students in 2011 the invitation is one we have readily accepted. The duo will depart on December 12th.

The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference is the world’s largest instrumental music education conference, annually drawing approximately 17,000 attendees to Chicago USA from all 50 states and as many as forty countries. It is held every December in downtown Chicago.

The Midwest Clinic offers engaging learning opportunities for high school students, college music majors, new teachers, veteran teachers, and music administrators. Attendees may choose from more than ninety Clinics, presented by leaders in the profession, aimed at teaching specific instruments or sections, conducting and rehearsal techniques, administering a music programme, developing strategies for recruitment and retention, strengthening strategies for music advocacy, teaching improvisation and composition, and implementing technology. Two cornerstones of the conference are the Reading Sessions, that highlight new music publications, and the Rehearsal Labs, that demonstrate best teaching practices.

Throughout the conference, Performances are presented by a variety of musical groups from around the world, including: string orchestras, concert bands, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles or combos, and a variety of chamber groups. Musicians in these ensembles range from elementary, middle, and high school students, college and university students, adult community organizations, professional musicians, and the premiere performers of The United States Military.