2004 Midwest Band Clinic: Furthering the Careers of Music Educators

The recent Midwest Band Clinic, held at the Chicago Hilton, was a typically action-packed affair, with numerous student performances, clinic sessions, award ceremonies, and lectures – not to mention plenty of opportunities to eat, drink, and socialize with colleagues and mentors. The exhibit halls were well trafficked and most organizations that we spoke with reported brisk business.

Challenges in the New Year

Budget cuts, government initiatives, and offshore instrument manufacture were some of the “hot topics” of 2004 for music educators. While at the Midwest Band Clinic, SBO took the opportunity to ask a handful of directors for their opinions on what issues will take center-stage in 2005.

“Simply trying to establish a real program in the first place is the real challenge for me. Our area is very rural and athletic programs get the most attention. Music is a relatively low priority.”

Krystle Plasse
Massabesic Jr. High
Ocean Park, Maine

“It’s hard to overcome the demands of No Child Left Behind. Our school is under sanctions.”

Erik Larson
Fairmont Jr. High
Boise, Idaho

“The biggest challenge I always run up against is that there’s simply not enough time in the school day to address the individual concerns of all students.”

Alan Kanauss
Barry High School
Barry, Ill.

“Educating the parents as to the importance of music education is a real concern. Our area is so sports-oriented, it’s difficult to get the budget and the attention we really need.”

Jennifer Tucker
Bryam Middle School
Bryam, Miss.

“It’s difficult to find music that is both challenging and exciting for my students age-group to play.”

Travis Beard
Russellville, Ark.

“I really need more parental support. We’re in an urban area, low income and at our last concert only 60 percent of my students actually showed up for the performance.”

Bob Chadwick
Van Cleve at McGuffey
School for Arts
Dayton, Ohio

NABIM Hosts Dealer Panel at Midwest Clinic

On the third day of Midwest Band Clinic, NABIM, the band and orchestral products manufacturers association, hosted a cocktail party and panel discussion to address the rapidly changing B&O product market and the challenges facing manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

The panel, moderated by Playintime Productions’ Sandy Feldstein, included Steve West, West Music Co., Coralville, Iowa; Jim Neist, Cascio Interstate Music, New Berlin, Wis.; David Fleming, American Music, Syracuse, N.Y.; and David Tipple, Port Huron Music Center, Port Huron, Mich.