Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic

In 1946, approximately 120 band directors assembled in Chicago for a six-hour clinic and new music reading session. The following year, the event, formally named the Mid-West Band Clinic, was expanded to two days under the sponsorship of the VanderCook School of Music, Neil A. Kjos Music Company, and Lyons Band Instrument Company. In the 1950s, orchestras and jazz ensembles were introduced, and in 1962, the Midwest Clinic held its first official Orchestra Day. In 1963, the clinic expanded to its present format of four and a half days. In the earliest years of the clinic, organizers invited outstanding bands to perform based upon the reputations of the organizations and their directors. The bands were expected to present both a formal concert and a sight-reading session, with selections for the latter being performed upon request by audience members and without prior preparation. The Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic continues to feature performances by outstanding ensembles, both student and professional, but every group that desires to perform must first apply for the opportunity. Over the course of its history, the primary goals of the clinic have been to promote high quality published music, foster effective music pedagogy, and educate ensemble directors about new products and services.