Educational Clinics
All clinics will take place in room Jefferson BC (Directly off the Vendor Area inside the convention center)
Creating and Maintaining Thriving Youth Brass Bands
Friday 2pm-2:50pm
Panelists – Dr. Amy Bliss (Dublin Youth Brass Band) and Dr. Lee Harrelson (Fountain City Academy Youth Band)
Description – Founders and leaders of two well-established youth band programs will share insights into cultivating a thriving environment for young brass and percussion musicians. They will discuss the development of their programs, strategies for sustaining enrollment, and methods for maintaining growth and momentum within their brass banding community. The session will conclude with a brief question-and-answer segment.
Excellence in Brass Banding
Friday 3pm-3:50pm
Panelists – Dan Burdick, Becky Barger Amato, Jessica Payne
Description – Brass band musicians from diverse backgrounds will come together to discuss the challenges and milestones of their careers. Representing a spectrum of experiences—from hobbyists and educators to professional performers—each panelist will share their unique journey within the brass band community. This discussion will highlight the breadth of diversity within brass bands and explore strategies for fostering greater inclusivity within ensembles. The session will conclude with a brief question-and-answer segment.
Military Musician Panel
Saturday 9am-9:50am
Panelists – Musician Second Class Serena Smith, Staff Sergeant Cherokee Miletti, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ribo, Sergeant First Class James Liverman
Description – Musicians from the Navy Band Northwest, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, and the United States Army Bands will discuss their career paths and the processes that led them to their current positions. They will provide insights into audition techniques and share their experiences as both military personnel and professional musicians. The panel will conclude with a brief question-and-answer session, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.
Composing and Arranging For Brass Band
Saturday 10am-10:50am
Panelists – Andrew Wainwright, Dr. Lucy Pankurst, Dr. Keith Wilkinson
Description – Renowned composers and arrangers of brass band music will provide insights into key considerations for composers new to writing for brass bands. Topics will include ensemble scoring techniques, section divisions—particularly within the cornet section—instrumental roles, and the effective use of mutes. The discussion will offer valuable guidance for emerging composers seeking to craft idiomatic and effective brass band arrangements. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the panel.
Brass Band Conducting
Saturday 11am-11:50am
Panelists – Dr. Evan Harger (NABBA Instant Band), Dr. Doug Lindsey (Frontier Brass Band), Dr. Mark Tayor (Chicago Brass Band)
Description – Conductors from the Athena Brass Band, the NABBA Instant Band, the Chicago Brass Band, and the Frontier Brass Band will lead a discussion on effective rehearsal strategies for brass bands. They will also address key considerations specific to brass band conducting, particularly for emerging conductors or those new to the brass band tradition. Additionally, panelists will share insights into their respective ensembles and the professional paths that led them to their conducting roles. The session will conclude with a brief question-and-answer session.