Throughout history, Sinfonians have played an integral role in the Midwest Clinic. Despite the change in format this year due to COVID-19, you will still find several Sinfonians involved in the event.
“Always Something New” was the motto and philosophy of Brother Dr. Albert Austin Harding (Alpha Xi Chapter – 1925). During the 1920s and ’30s, he was the man who set the wheels in motion that led to the eventual establishment of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in December of 1946.
This year, in the face of the many changes that exist in the lives of band directors across the world, the Midwest Clinic is trying something new. It stems from the realization that the desire to learn and connect with one another is still as vital as it was when Brother Harding and nearly 40 band directors got together in January of 1930.
At that first conference, music educators learned from leaders and conductors like Raymond F. Dvorak (Alpha Xi Chapter – 1925) and Neil Kjos, Sr. (Alpha Xi Chapter – 1930). They also attended sessions on library management, rehearsal methods, marching band, unusual instruments, and wind ensembles. From clinicians to conductors and even exhibitors, you’ll see that our Brothers continue the tradition of offering their talents and services to the music community to help strengthen music programs across the country.
If you’re registered for the clinic, we hope you’ll visit the Phi Mu Alpha Virtual Exhibit Booth to sign our guest book. We look forward to a time when we can all gather together again in the future. Enjoy the clinic!
Meet the Sinfonian Clinicians
Brother Richard Floyd
Alpha Iota Chapter – 2013
The University of Texas at Austin
CLINIC
Getting to the Art of the Matter
Brother Omar Thomas
Gamma Alpha Chapter – 2004
James Madison University
CLINIC
An Interview with Composer Omar Thomas
Brother Frank Diaz
Epsilon Iota Chapter – 1994
Florida State University
CLINIC
How Do We Confront Racism in the Orchestra Classroom? A Courageous Conversation to Engage Responsible and Actionable Change
Brother Matt Olson
Iota Chapter – 1991
Northwestern University
CLINIC
Beyond the Blues Scale: Harmonic Basics for Young Improvisers
Brother Jeff Grogan
Mu Xi Chapter – 1987
Stephen F. Austin State University
CLINIC
Orchestra Keynote
Brother Todd Stoll
Alpha Theta Chapter – 1982
Miami University-Oxford
CLINIC
It’s Deeper Than the Notes
Brother H. Robert Reynolds
Epsilon Chapter – 1954
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
CLINIC
What Makes a Great Conductor
Featured Performances
The United States Navy Concert Band
Conducted by Captain Kenneth C. Collins
Xi Delta Chapter – University of Nevada-Reno (1989)
The United States Navy Concert Band, the premier wind ensemble of the U.S. Navy, presents a wide array of marches, patriotic selections, orchestral transcriptions, and modern wind ensemble repertoire. As the original ensemble of the Navy Band, the Concert Band has been performing public concerts and participating in high-profile events for more than 95 years.
Hiroshima Wind Orchestra
Premier Performance – Symphony No. 3
Composition by Robert E. Jager
Alpha Sigma Chapter – Butler University (1969)
The Hiroshima Wind Orchestra (HWO) was formed in 1993 by professional musicians wishing to share the splendor of wind music and promote a message of world peace through wind band performance. The HWO performed its first regular concert in October of the same year. Since then, HWO has held two regular concerts annually and expanded its outreach with increased school and public presentations.
