MS Band Director

For music educators - By music educators

Effective Middle School Clinicians

Directors,
Everyone knows that Middle School students are a rare and unique breed of learners and not every college-level or HS level clinician necessarily translates well to the Middle School aged Child. This forum is for everyone to discuss great experiences they've had with three different categories of clinicians:

Middle School Concert Band Clinicians
Middle School Jazz Band Clinicians
Middle School Motivational Speakers

As the discussion proceeds, the main page of MSBandDirector.com will reflect the overall preferences for these 3 categories. Oh, by the way, you can't nominate or comment on yourself. Others have to recommend you as effective. Have fun.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on September 7, 2008 at 5:13pm

As far as motivational speakers for Middle School (and everything else!), Tim Lautzenheiser is the best I have ever seen. His website is http://www.attitudeconcepts.com/timsbio.php and there is a catch. He no longer does individual schools, he only does Larger venues like districts, festivals and State or National Festivals like Midwest and All-State. Perhaps your district would like Tim to come and motivate the entire district and get your school years off to a great start. Tim is based in Indiana and I have seen him speak at both festivals and the Midwest clinic and he is worth it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on September 9, 2008 at 6:56am

Fran Kick is another motivational speaker that I have heard directors rave about for both middle school and high school. His motivational speaking deals with leadership in band. Here is the link:

http://www.kickitin.com/jrsr.html

Check out the video.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Matt Doublestein on September 11, 2008 at 8:59am

We have had a number of great experiences with Dr. John Scheib from Ball State University (http://www.bsu.edu/music/profile/0,2017,5220-1174-168187,00.html). Not only is he a very competent musician and instructor, but he has the "it" to reach middle school kids and make learning fun. In many of our experiences with him, John focuses on breathing technique and keeping tempo (watching the conductor). The kids seem to like him, and I think that's very important when putting students with a new teacher.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bill Henley on September 13, 2008 at 5:11pm

Russ Weaver said:

Over the past 20 years of All-County Concert Bands in Osceola County Florida we have had some great clinicians. Here is a list of clinicians who not only selected great literature but really connected with the MS aged learners. These standout clinicians include:

Dr. Thomas Singletary from Eau Gallie HS http://eghsmusic.tripod.com/

and

Ian Schwindt from Titusville HS http://www.terrier.brevard.k12.fl.us/departments/teachers/finearts/...

+1 to both of these guys
They both do a great job! Tom will appreciate the honorary doctorate.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on December 23, 2008 at 9:08pm

As far as guest soloists and concert band conductors, Ed Nagel from Ohio is one of the very best clinickans I have worked with. His knowledge of literature and ability to work with young people has earned him a spot on the "Most Wanted" list for clinicians. His informative videos that he did for MSBandDirector.com are examples of both his abilities and commitment to this aged learner. Thank-you Ed.
He will solo (french horn) with your band as a guest artist or artist in residence (if you keep him for a week or so) and bring your french horns to a new performance level. If you would like to have a fuller sounding band, that performs some incredible literature contact Ed through his page on MSBandDirector.com. He is wonderful at all-county and all-state bands and is also an amazing french hornist and featured soloist as he was with the Air Force Band.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on January 23, 2009 at 8:10pm

Eric Mendez is a member of MSBandDirector.com and is one of the best All-County/All-District conductors and clinicians that we have had come through Osceola County, Florida. Please consider clicking on his picture and adding him to your list of folks that will come to your district, pick wonderful literature and work with your students to the point that when they go back to their home programs, they will be fired up and motivated as well as better musicians!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Howard Hart on January 30, 2009 at 3:54pm

Russ Weaver said:

Eric Mendez is a member of MSBandDirector.com and is one of the best All-County/All-District conductors and clinicians that we have had come through Osceola County, Florida. Please consider clicking on his picture and adding him to your list of folks that will come to your district, pick wonderful literature and work with your students to the point that when they go back to their home programs, they will be fired up and motivated as well as better musicians!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Howard Hart on January 30, 2009 at 4:10pm

Eric did a great job with the Osceola County M.S.Honor Concert and Jazz Bands. He has a wonderful way of balancing humor and getting the job done. The students love him and this shows in their performance. We will be asking him back again.