Minute Clinic

Gene Milford

Why should we bother with six-note band pieces?

By Gene Milford / January 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Why should we bother with six-note band pieces?

While discussing the grade levels of band publications, a well known band music historian remarked “and then there are pieces so easy that they should never have been written.” Obviously, this is the perspective of someone who never worked with beginning instrumentalists and young ensembles. Performances are an important motivational tool and a culminating experience…

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The 10 Re’s of Summer

By Larry Clark / June 24, 2022 /

As we all launch headfirst into the summer with Independence Day around the corner, I ask a simple question – what are you doing this summer to get yourself ready for school in the fall? Make sure to do these 10 things: Rest – Take time for yourself this summer, with some much needed mental and…

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Maximizing Student Engagement and Musicianship in Today’s Music Ensembles: Five Strategies for Success!

By Russell Robinson / May 6, 2021 /

Russell L. Robinson, Ph.D., Composer/Arranger/Author/Musician Educator In my work with music programs and music teachers in on-site professional development, I have tried to assist educators (choral and instrumental) in “maximizing student engagement and musicianship” in their ensembles and music classrooms. These two areas (Engagement and Musicianship) go hand in hand. You can’t have one without…

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The (Live!) Music Goes On

By Larry Clark / February 12, 2021 /

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all.  In my 26 years in the music publishing industry, few things have impacted music in our schools more profoundly.  Many school ensembles have been unable to meet or have done so in small groups or virtually.  Composers and arrangers have struggled without commissions and guest appearances.  Many (myself…

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Five Keys to Unlocking Successful Rehearsals

By Valerie Laney-Rowe / February 4, 2020 /

Do you ever find yourself utterly exhausted at the end of a rehearsal, feeling like you lost a game of tug of war against your entire band?  The podium can feel like a very lonely place at times, leaving you frustrated and feeling like the “bad guy”; however, taking a step back and focusing on…

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How to Beat Writer’s Block

By Jason Taurins / December 17, 2019 /

Artists of all disciplines are sometimes faced with the phenomenon commonly known as “Writers Block.”In these times, we face a lack of creative inspiration, and as a result, our creative output can slow to a halt. What I wish to offer here are a few suggestions on how to cope with writer’s block, how to…

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Avoiding The Midwest Clinic Blues

By John Hillsman / December 10, 2019 /

Guest Blog by John M. Hillsman, band director at Beauregard High School I want to share these thoughts with band director friends, especially my younger band director friends. I formulated these ten statements over the years. Occasionally, I slightly revise one statement. I keep them handy in my notes on my phone/iPad and refer to…

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What Does New Music Teach Us?

By Jason Taurins / November 26, 2019 /

To many, the avant-garde of music comes across as an impenetrable, pretentious wall of noise. What makes this music? And, why should we care about it? It is perhaps best to first define the term. It comes from French and translates to vanguard or advance guard. In medieval battle practice, the vanguard would travel ahead…

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Carl Strommen

Owning the Piece: A Composer’s View of Writing Commissions

By Carl Strommen / November 5, 2019 /

Below’s blog is based on an interview conducted by Worldstrides/Heritage in 2015 with composer Carl Strommen.  “On the Wings of Angels” by Carl Strommen, commissioned by Worldstrides/Heritage, is published and available from Excelcia Music Publishing. The way I approach commissions depends on the type of performing organization – band, orchestra, jazz band, choral – and…

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An Eye for the Detail

By Chris Thompson / October 29, 2019 /

Rehearsing the ensemble, or smaller groups within the ensemble, can serve many ends. The kind of work you take on should depend on what you seek to produce. Whatever your time frame and/or notes that you are attacking, it’s helpful to identify the specific outcome(s) you are trying to get the group to achieve. And…

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Recent Posts

Why should we bother with six-note band pieces?

By Gene Milford

While discussing the grade levels of band publications, a well known band music historian…

The 10 Re’s of Summer

By Larry Clark

As we all launch headfirst into the summer with Independence Day around the corner,…

Maximizing Student Engagement and Musicianship in Today’s Music Ensembles: Five Strategies for Success!

By Russell Robinson

Russell L. Robinson, Ph.D., Composer/Arranger/Author/Musician Educator In my work with music programs and music…

The (Live!) Music Goes On

By Larry Clark

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all.  In my 26 years in the music…

Five Keys to Unlocking Successful Rehearsals

By Valerie Laney-Rowe

Do you ever find yourself utterly exhausted at the end of a rehearsal, feeling…

How to Beat Writer’s Block

By Jason Taurins

Artists of all disciplines are sometimes faced with the phenomenon commonly known as “Writers…

Avoiding The Midwest Clinic Blues

By John Hillsman

Guest Blog by John M. Hillsman, band director at Beauregard High School I want…

What Does New Music Teach Us?

By Jason Taurins

To many, the avant-garde of music comes across as an impenetrable, pretentious wall of…

Owning the Piece: A Composer’s View of Writing Commissions

By Carl Strommen

Below’s blog is based on an interview conducted by Worldstrides/Heritage in 2015 with composer…

An Eye for the Detail

By Chris Thompson

Rehearsing the ensemble, or smaller groups within the ensemble, can serve many ends. The…

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