One of my favorite things I do to serve the music community and industry is to be a guest clinician. Since I became the Director of Orchestral Studies at Sam Houston State University, I have been expanding my network in and around the Houston and Dallas area. Every semester, I am invited to work with several school's ensembles.
So, what is a clinic? This is where an ensemble will invite an outside conductor/educator to come work with them to gain outside perspective.
Why do you want to bring in a guest clinician? Typically the ensembles spend weeks if not months on the music in preparation for a contest or a concert. When you are intimately involved in music making for such a long time, it's hard to see a big picture. You start to focus on each leaf instead of the forest. It's healthy for the ensemble to work with someone new, so the director can sit back and marvel at the work they have put in without worrying about "what do I need to fix next?" Oftentimes, the clinician will reemphasize what the director has been telling the ensemble for weeks. I realize it's frustrating to the directors that the students may not acknowledge the comment until it comes from an outside source. Also, every conductor prioritizes different elements of music. I may not be too excited about fixing bowings or intonation (I will, if they are the biggest problems), but I tend to focus on phrasing, breathing, blending, color, and playing together as an ensemble.
This week, I am in Arizona working with the West Valley Symphony as a Music Director candidate. As part of the audition process, I had an opportunity to work with Mountain Ridge HS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble as a guest clinician.
I always love observing the culture, atmosphere, ritual, and tradition the directors build for their ensembles. I also love sharing my love of music with the students and offering support to the directors and the students. It's always so encouraging to watch young musicians work hard daily for a greater cause. Another reason why I love doing clinics is because I am well aware that without these programs and dedicated directors, my profession will totally dry up! It is my way of paying back and forward to the music community.
