ukulele teaching tips midwest clinic dealing with the voice - KBB Music

service from the hotel to McCormick
Place. The shuttle service ran every 30
minutes both to and from the venue. I
knew, however, that once I was there I
would be there for the duration of the
day. I sat on the bus that first morning
in anticipation of what the day would
bring. I had my programme “directory”
with me and had highlighted the
sessions I intended to attend that day.
This included the initial welcome and
concert by the USA Army Band and
a welcome address by members of
the Midwest Board of Directors. The
president of the Board of Directors,
Richard C. Crain delivered an inspiring
speech. He reminded us as educators
that everyone of us can make a
difference, every one of us can change
a music programme for the better. We
can all deliver new ideas but most of all
we can all inspire young people to be
musicians.
The opening welcome finished around
9.50 am and everyone then headed
up to the Exhibit Hall for the opening.
The Exhibit Hall, pictured above, was
impressive with 273 exhibitors featuring
everything from instruments to music,
software to marching band equipment,
school tour packages to Army, Navy
and Air force recruitment. All exhibitors
giving out free CDs, chocolates and
goody bags!
So, 10.20am arrived and I set off to my
first clinic, “Different Ways To Think
About Music, Teaching and Advocacy”.
This was followed by “Brassed On: A
Guide to Expressive Brass Playing”,
“You Are Only as Good as Your Last
Breath: Improving Brass Pedagogy” and
“It Sounded Better At Home: tips and
Techniques to Manage Performance
Anxiety”. My day was complete with a
concert by the United States Army Band
“Pershing’s Own”. I didn’t think I could
absorb any more but this proved to be
the highlight of the day.
The Band played many wonderful
pieces, including “Hail the Dragon”
by Philip Sparke, who incidentally was
sitting 5 seats away from me! Can’t get
better than that! This was a common
occurrence throughout the conference;
the composers of various works would
sit in on the performance! So, having
set off from the hotel room at 7.30am, I
arrived back at 7.30pm, exhausted but
none the less totally inspired and raring
to go the next day.
One important thing I learned on my
first day was to choose carefully! It is
really important to pick a mixture of
Clinics, Performance/Rehearsal Labs
and Concerts. Also you need to make
time to visit the Exhibit Hall. It would be
easy to miss some spectacular rehearsal
labs by excellent technicians if you just
visited the clinics. Listen to the advice
of people who have visited before. The
Conference is full of people who are
willing to share information. They take
one look at your name tag, read that
you come from New Zealand and are
absolutely dumfounded at the journey
you have taken to get there. Many
visitors to the conference have been
there since its first event, 65 years ago,
and they still attend every year. This says
something about the experience of the
Midwest Clinic. It is certainly the best
professional development experience
that a music educator can have. In my
next article I will discuss some of the
highlights from the clinic.
I would like to take the opportunity
to thank KBB Music for giving me
this opportunity and in particular Paul
Skipper and Jennifer Hsu. If you are
interested in applying for next Year’s
KBB Music Midwest Scholarship then
I suggest you visit the Midwest Clinic
Website at www.midwestclinic.org
Here you can view some of the concerts
and find out more about the clinic.
Special thanks also to Simon Hocking of
House of Travel for organising all of my
travel and accommodation.
2012 KBB Music Midwest Scholarship
APPLY NOW!
This year’s KBB Music Midwest Scholarship is now open for
application. If you are a director or teacher of concert bands
and orchestras ready for a unique professional development
opportunity, apply now.
For more information and to
download an application form,
go to www.kbbmusic.co.nz
Applications close: 30 May 2012
14 Random Notes Musical Instrument Specialists since 1888