Chad Smith Foundation and Play Without Limits Open the Stage to More Students Through School of Rock Scholarships
School of Rock is expanding access to its programs for students nationwide through the Play Without Limits Project (PWLP), and the Chad Smith Foundation, founded by the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer, helping more kids access life-changing music education.
Today, students across the country, from Illinois to Texas, New York to Florida, are participating in School of Rock through Play Without Limits scholarships, gaining access to lessons, rehearsals, and live performance experiences that build confidence and community.
School of Rock offers music programs for all skill levels and age groups, from kids as young as five years old to adults. Students receive weekly one-on-one instruction on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or vocals, and participate in group rehearsals that culminate in live performances at real venues.
For many students, that experience is made possible through the Play Without Limits Project, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides scholarships that cover approximately one season of School of Rock programming, including weekly lessons and group rehearsals.
For more information about the Play Without Limits Project and Chad Smith Foundation, or to support student scholarships, visit playwithoutlimits.org and chadsmithfoundation.org.
Happy Music in Our Schools Month!
What is MIOSM?
For more than 40 years, March has been officially designated for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools and communities across the nation.
What is the purpose of MIOSM?
The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children—and to remind people that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the value that school music brings to students of all ages.
Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Contest – CASH PRIZE OF $10,000
The American Bandmasters Association (ABA) and John Philip Sousa Foundation announce the 66th Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Contest. Since 1956, this composition contest has stimulated the creation of many important new compositions for concert band and is responsible for more original band music than any other competition of its kind.
The winning composition will be performed at the 2027 American Bandmasters Association Convention, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, February 23-27, 2027.
The 2026 Award Committee will consider concert band compositions with a difficulty level of Grade 5 or higher.
Contest Submission Deadline: July 15, 2026
2026 Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Contest Form
Sweetwater & Music Will Launch National Instrument Fund to Expand School Music Programs
Music Will and Sweetwater launched the National Instrument Fund to help under-resourced schools establish music programs. Nearly 4 million students in the U.S. are without access to music education resources. The National Instrument Fund is an innovative partnership designed to help schools overcome one of the biggest barriers to music education: access to instruments. Over 300 schools applied for the National Instrument Fund, signaling the need for broader, industry-wide collaboration to close the gap. Most of the Fund-awarded schools serve communities facing socioeconomic challenges. According to The National Association for Music Education, schools with music programs see a nearly 18 percent increase in graduation rates and an almost 10 percent increase in attendance rates.
Midwest Clinic announces its 80th Conference Clinicians and Performing Ensembles
Congratulations to the Performing Ensembles and Clinicians selected for the 80th Midwest Clinic this December! This year, the Clinic is pleased to present 52 groups performing across three days in all instrumental music areas: band, orchestra, percussion, jazz, and chamber ensemble. These groups represent some of the best instrumental ensembles from around the world, hailing from 18 states, Japan, Singapore, and Spain.
This year, 100 Clinics were selected for presentation, offering insight and learning from music industry professionals, educators working at all levels, and composers from all genres, including the return of the popular “Day One” sessions, and S.H.O.P. Talks, offering 30-minute quick learning sessions on timely topics.
Reynolds Conducting Institute Returns to the 80th Midwest Clinic
The Midwest Clinic presents the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute, a two-day symposium on the art of conducting held during the annual December conference. The Midwest Clinic is committed to supporting the art of conducting by presenting an in-depth conducting symposium for outstanding selected participants, December 17-18, 2026, with featured clinicians Dr. Rodney Dorsey and Dr. Kevin Sedatole.
Applications for the 2026 Reynolds Conducting Institute are open now at midwestclinic.org, and must be completed by May 31.
