With the disruptions to the world in the past two years, the 75th anniversary Midwest Clinic will be both a celebration and a long-overdue family reunion for music education. From the first reading session in Chicago in 1946 to today, the Midwest has always represented some of the best in our profession with a continued focus on new music, innovative products, and the best teaching ideas. It has also has a long history of outstanding performances that linger in the memory for years.
2021 Midwest Highlights
Here are some of the notable commissioned works that will be performed at the 2021 convention.
Wilderness by Cait Nishimura, performed by Aledo Middle School
Thursday, December 16 at 3 pm
Canadian composer Cait Nishimura is a music educator based in Waterloo, Ontario. She is known for her melody-driven, programmatic music and has used her love of nature as inspiration.
caitnishimura.com
Candor by Omar Thomas, performed by Vandegrift High School Wind Ensemble
Friday, December 17 at 5:30 pm
Brooklyn-born Omar Thomas is Assistant Professor of Composition at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a protege of composers and educators Ken Schaphorst and Frank Carlberg. He also studied under composer and bandleader Maria Schneider.
omarthomas.com
Bash by Frank Ticheli, performed by Dallas Winds
Thursday December 16 at 7:30 pm
Ticheli wrote this composition in honor of the 75th Anniversary Midwest. Given the celebratory nature of this year’s event, he wrote what he describes as a “euphoric romp.” Ticheli is Professor of Composition at the University of California’s Thornton School of Music.
manhattanbeachmusiconline.com/frank_ticheli
Diamond Jubilee by Karel Butz, performed by Central Washington University Symphony
Friday December 17 at 11:30 am
Butz, a Houston-based violinist and composer, has had his music performed at the Midwest, Interlochen, and several region and all-state honor bands. His book, Achieving Musical Success in the String Classroom, is published by Oxford University Press.
karelbutzmusic.com
Midwest Awards
The annual convention also provides an invaluable opportunity to honor various music education leaders for lifetime service to our musical community. There are several distinguished honorees for 2021.
Julie Giroux is a highly respected composer with a large number of classical works, with emphasis on wind band, and more that 100 film, television, and video game credits. She was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association in 2009. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and her first published work for concert band, published by Southern Music, was written at the age of 13.
James Kjelland is a faculty member at Northwestern University as Associate Professor, Music/String Pedagogy. He is the author or contributor to several books including Orchestral Bowing: Style & Function and the string class method Strictly Strings.
Iris Manus has worked for Alfred Music Publishing since the 1960s, maintaining the title of Executive Producer. She met her husband, the late Morty Manus, President of Alfred, when she was working at the company on Saturdays. They were deeply committed to music education and supported many music scholarships, competitions, and organizations.
Janis Stockhouse served as Director of Bands at Bloomington High School North in Indiana for 38 years. During her tenure, the Advanced Jazz Ensemble performed at the Midwest four times and at the IAJE and JEN conventions seven times. She is a member and past president of the Indiana Bandmasters Association. Stockhouse is a 2015 recipient of the John LaPorta Outstanding Jazz Educator Award.
Bernard Van Doren is the grandson of the founder of Vandoren Paris, world-famous reedmaker. His grandfather founded the company in 1905; Bernard Van Doren took over the company in 1967. Through improvements in machinery and technology, Bernard has strengthened the company’s role as a major manufacturer of reeds and mouthpieces.
Midwest Reading Sessions
Orchestra New Music Reading Session featuring the Chicagoland Educators Orchestra: Thursday, December 16, 1 pm in W192.
Band New Music Reading Session featuring the Bands of the Air National Guard: Friday, December 17, 12:15 pm in W185.
Jazz New Music Reading Session featuring the Army Blues: Friday, December 17, 10:30 am in W196.
