Midwest Clinic Foundation Scholarships Open July 1 for the Annual Conference!
The Midwest Clinic Foundation is proud to once again offer scholarships to music educators who are first-time attendees of the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Applications for the December 2026 Conference will open July 1, 2026. Five Scholarships will be awarded, and include the cost of registration for the annual conference, three nights of hotel accommodations, a $500 travel stipend, and a one-year subscription to the Midwest Clinic Education Portal.
This initiative was created to honor directors who are committed to inspiring and uplifting the next generation of musicians by cultivating artistic excellence in their students and communities, sharing the magic of music in a way that leaves a lasting impact, and promoting equity and inclusion through the joy of music. The scholarship will allow talented educators to continue expanding their professional knowledge and skills.
If you are a director who shares these values and is eager to advance your music education journey, we encourage you to apply beginning July 1, 2026 at midwestclinicfoundation.org/scholarships. Join us in shaping the future of music education and making a lasting impact on the students you serve.
Midwest Clinic Announces the Return of Four Pre-Conference Intensives for 2026
The Midwest Clinic is pleased to announce that four pre-conference intensives will be presented on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, the day before the 80th Annual Conference. These intensives offer 4-5 hours of hands-on learning in special areas of interest, allowing music educators to level up their skills and explore new topics. Registration for pre-conference intensives will begin August 1, 2026, and can be added onto registration for the 80th Annual Conference. As space is limited, pre-conference intensives are only open to Professional and College Student attendees.
The four pre-conference intensives will be offered in the following areas:
Jazz:
This 4-hour, hands-on, interactive workshop is designed to support jazz educators as they build, develop, and refine their jazz programs. This workshop is ideal for band directors and music educators who are new to jazz or looking for fresh strategies to strengthen their jazz ensembles. Whether you’re starting a new program, transitioning from concert band, orchestra or a college without jazz pedagogy, or refining your rehearsal techniques, this interactive, engaging, and practical workshop will leave you inspired and equipped to help your students swing with confidence! Participants must bring their own instrument (ALL instruments welcome). Rhythm section backline will be provided as follows: Drumset & cymbals, keyboard & amp, guitar amp, bass amp, Yamaha Silent Bass.
Percussion
This 4-hour immersive session is designed for both those new to teaching percussion and those looking for a basic level refresher, offering essential information, tools, and resources to effectively teach timpani and auxiliary percussion. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your pedagogical skills, this session will cover the foundational principles of percussion playing and teaching, including instrument position, grip, stroke variations, and music reading. Participants will rotate between snare drum and mallets, culminating in a combined percussion session within a typical band setting.
Audio Technology
This four-hour program introduces music production and how to set up a sound system for live performance, what quality audio is, and the value of mixing the audio for the best results. The final session is a hands-on experience led by professionals in the music industry.
Strings
From the basics of teaching strings to refining your pedagogical string knowledge, this 5-hour immersive session will provide those new to teaching strings with the information, tools, and resources needed to effectively teach orchestra. This informational and practical session will focus on the foundational principles of string playing and teaching, including instrument position, tone production, shifting, and vibrato. Participants will select a primary string instrument to learn during this hands-on workshop and can elect to join either beginning or intermediate level breakout sessions based on experience and interest.