Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic

The Midwest Clinic is the largest instrumental music education conference in the world that takes place in Chicago, IL each December.   The Association of Concert Bands participates in the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as an exhibitor each year. We use our booth to spread the word about the adult concert band movement and to highlight community bands.  Many of our members also participate at the Midwest Clinic as performers, clinicians, exhibitors, and attendees.

 We have been fortunate to have accepted clinics and have sponsored others over the years.   For example:

Other previous ACB-sponsored clinicians have been Col. John Bourgeois, Col. Arnald Gabriel, and a panel discussion on community bands with ACB conductors Commander Allen Beck, Gerald Guilbeaux, Gail Brechting and Don Snowden. Several of our Advisory Council members have also been featured prominently at the Midwest Clinic.

Several of our member bands have been selected to perform at the Midwest Clinic.  Below is a list from recent years.

• Kiel Municipal Band [1954]
• Los Angeles Symphonic Winds [200?]
• Northshore Concert Band [2011]
• Lone Star Wind Orchestra [2012]
• Wheaton Municipal Band [2012]
• Utah Wind Symphony [2014]
• Eastern Wind Symphony [2015]
• Tara Winds [2015]
• Central Winds [2016]
• The Desert Winds [2016]
• Alabama Winds [2017]
• Fillmore Wind Band [2017]
• Wheaton Municipal Band [2017]
• Virginia Wind Symphony [2012, 2017]
• Carrolton Wind Symphony [2018]
• Cobb Wind Symphony [2003, 2011, 2018, 2026]
• Woodlands Concert Band (2018]
• Grand Symphonic Winds [2019]
• Atlanta Wind Symphony [2020 - postponed to 2021]
• Fairfax Wind Symphony [2020 - postponed to 2021]
• Eastern Wind Symphony [2020 - postponed to 2021]
•  The Metropolitan Music Community's Brooklyn Wind Symphony [2022]
• Wheaton Municipal Band [2023]
• Springboro Wind Symphony [2024]
• The Desert Winds [2025]
• Grand Rapids Symphonic Band [2025]

Several of our members and Advisory Council members also give clinics.  Here are some recent examples 

• If I Knew Then What I Know Now ... , Tim Lautzenhesier [2016]
• An Interview with Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Tim Lautzenhesier [2016]
• Embracing our Similarities: Sharing Concepts Across the Band and Orchestra with Erica Nedlinger (and others) [2016]
• Brilliant Future, Illustrious Past: The Midwest Clinic By David McCormick, Tim Lautzenhesier [2016]
• The Artistry of the March, Loras Schissel, clinician with Virginia Wind Symphony, Dennis Zeisler, director [2017]
• Bridging the Gender Gap: Developing Strategies for Creating Equity in Ensemble Programming, Alex Shapiro (and others) [2018]
• Exploit the Power of Arts Education, Richard Coulter [2018]
• Nurturing the Master Teacher: Effective Rehearsal Evaluation, Timothy Holtan [2018] 
• Community Bands Can Fill Your Void, Gary Smith [2019]
• In the Footsteps of Sousa: Forty-two Years of Leading the “President’s Own” Col. (ret.) John Bourgeois [2021]
• Conversations with Richard and Cheryl Floyd - Tim Lautzenheiser [2-21]
• Army Field Band about "Military Bands" featuring all Premier Band Commanders Colonel Jim R. Keene [2021]
• Play On! A Marine Musician’s Journey From the Bayou to the White House Colonel (ret.) John Bourgeois [2021]
• The Horizon Leans Forward - A Panel Discussion on the Issues of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in the Wind Band Field - Alex Shapiro [2021]
• Embedding Social Emotional Learning in Instrumental Music Education - Alex Shapiro [2021]
• A Conversation With Dr. Paula Crider - Tim Lautzenheiser [2022]
• Taking the Fear Out of the Mystery: An Approach to Sight Reading at Music Performance Assessment - Jon Bubbett [2022]
• Curiosity Is More Important Than Talent: Practical and Fun Improvisational Concepts for Our Band Students - Harry Watters [2022]
• Empowering Female Conductors: A Focus on Allyship, Mentorship, and Representation Cynthia Johnston Turner [2022]
• The Future of the Wind Band: Continuing the Conversation -Cynthia Johnston Turner[2022]
• Protecting Your Program: Tips to Survive and Thrive in the Modern World - Alfred Watkins [2022]
• Conducting, Composing, and Performing With Disabilities: An Accessible, Inclusive, and Empathic Vision for Neurodiverse Music - Jason Noble [2022]
• How We Teach Is As Important as What We Teach: 20 Ways to Energize Your Rehearsals - Peter Boonshaft [2023]
• An Interview with Frank Ticheli -Tim Lautzenhesier[2023]
• 35 Years The Lord of the Rings - Johan de Meij [2023]
• Extending Your Reach, The "Quilted" Career including: Tim Lautzenheiser [2023]
• Emerging Music Educators Keynote - Tim Lautzenheiser [2024]
• Music Parents Session - Tim Lautzenheiser
• Keep ‘Em Once You Have ‘Em -Tim Lautzenheiser [2024]
• Music Parents Session - Tim Lautzenheiser [2024]
• Mindful Rehearsals to Maximize Learning - Erica Neidlering [2024]
• A Conversation with Mallory Thompson - Tim Lautzenheiser [2024]
• The Band Director’s Toolbox: Fusing Innovative Programming and Immersive Ensemble Rehearsal Techniques. - Alex Shapiro [2024]
• CHAT Room: A Chat with Alfred Watkins (Cobb Wind Symphony) [2025]
• CHAT Room: A Chat with Rob Deemer (The Institute for Composer Diversity) [2025]
• Architecture & Inspiration: Percy Grainger's Home & Studio - Curt Ebersole [2025]
• Emerging Music Educators Keynote Featuring: Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and The Moanin' Frogs [2025]
• Music Parent Session - Tim Lautzenheiser[2025]
• Draft Your Blueprint: Design, Refine, and Fortify a Career Built to Last - Tim Lautzenheiser [2025]
• A Conversation with Jerry Junkin - Tim Lautzenheiser [2025]
• S.H.O.P. Talk - Q&A For Band Directors: Students with Differences and Disabilities - Tim Lautzenheiser [2025]
• A Conversation with Ray Cramer: One Person Makes a Difference -Tim Lautzenheiser [2025]