February, 2002 • A Publication of the Midwest Clinic ... · February, 2002 • A Publication of the Midwest Clinic • Volume 13, Number 1 M ... Band was performing on a festival

MidwestMotifsFebruary, 2002 • A Publication of the Midwest Clinic • Volume 13, Number 1

My first trip to the Midwest Clinicwas over 25 years ago. It wasthe June meeting for the con-

ductors of the groups who were perform-ing at the conference in 1973. I was sur-rounded by many of the people I hadadmired and heard of for many years—J. Frederick Müller, Ray Dvorak, H.E.Nutt, Howard Lyons, and others. I was inawe of the people who had, throughtheir hard work, dedication and expert-ise, steadfastly maintained high stan-dards of organization and presented thefinest performing groups for manyyears. I also had great respect for thesepeople as outstanding musiceducators. I sat in that daylong meet-ing listening to the requirements forthe performance groups. There were alot of rules. These rules not only con-tributed to the success of each per-forming group, they also made the con-ference what it was and still istoday. That is, the best opportunity tohear newly published music; thebest opportunity to hear student bandsand orchestras performing at theirpeak; the best opportunity to learnfrom outstanding music educatorsthrough formal demonstrations, lecturesand sitting around the conventioncenter listening to others’ experiences;and the best opportunity to visita broad range of outstandingexhibitors. I remember that year atMidwest as if it were yesterday.

The years have passed. As the newestmember of the Midwest Board ofDirectors I can now see what happenson the inside. With the 2001 MidwestClinic I have completed my first year.The clinic was remarkable. For one fullyear the Board of Directors had plannedfor this conference. For one week I hadclimbed more stairs, ridden more eleva-tors, heard outstanding bands, orches-tras, and chamber ensembles, and gath-ered inspiring and useful information to

help in my teaching. I worked harderand learned more in one week than Ihad in a long time.

Over the past thirty-two years I haveserved on numerous local, state, region-al and national boards. Each one has itsown personality. Each one has a level oforganization structure that eitherencourages or inhibits communication.Each one has a level of professionalismthat either makes you proud to be partof the group or causes you to look forways to survive unscathed. After one

year on the board I can tell you that thegroup of men and women who serve onthis board are exactly what one hopesfor. They are dedicated, hard workingprofessionals who use their expertise tobring a balanced program that crossesthe subtle boundaries of music educators.

Why do music educators, exhibitors,performers and clinicians come backyear after year? I am sure there are asmany reasons as there are peoplewho attend. However, some of the rea-sons must be to learn new informationor to reinforce good teaching habits, bearound positive and professional musiceducators, forget some of the negativestatements that we hear regularly abouteducation and to remind ourselves ofthe joys of teaching and making

music. Each yearthere are moregroups who, asone of the par-ticipating con-ductors put it,reached for hisdream and per-formed at thepast year’sMidwest. I hope

more people will make that reach. Thispast year one could hear middle school,high school, collegiate, military, andadult ensembles from around the UnitedStates. Many of these ensembles per-formed a significant amount of newlypublished music. It’s the best opportuni-ty of which I am aware to hear newmusic performed by outstanding organi-zations. Publishers and exhibitors fromaround the world come to Chicago todisplay their wares, present the newesteducational materials, and inform you ofa wide variety of opportunities.

As in any successful organization thebalance between maintaining thetraditions and quality of the past andembracing change to uphold qualityis what keeps that group moving forwardand strong. The strength of 55years of excellence is behind theMidwest. The forward momentum oflooking for new ideas and methodskeeps the tradition fresh. I hope yousend in a recording of your group forconsideration as a performer. I hope yousubmit a clinic idea. I hope you come tothe 2002 Midwest Clinic. You surely willnot be disappointed.

— John Clinton

John Clinton is Director for theOklahoma Center for Arts throughthe University of Central Oklahomain Edmond, Oklahoma.

Lasting Impressions

John Clinton

This most wonderful and reward-ing experience of performing atthe 55th annual Midwest Clinic

started, of all places, aboard a cruiseship in the Bahamas two years ago. TheLeesville Road High School SymphonicBand was performing on a festivalcruise. The Band had just finished per-forming Jager’s “Esprit de Corps,”Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,”and Welcher’s “Zion.” Gary Smith, fromthe University of Illinois, was our judgeand took some time to speak to meafterwards. He was truly impressedwith our Band and was wondering whyhe had never heard of us. He asked,“Have you ever played at Midwest?” My answer was “Are you crazy... thereis only one of me at the high school,only some of the students take privatelessons... we’re a good band but wearen’t in that league!” He repliedquickly with “Yes you are and youshould apply!” He went further to saythat he could not remember a highschool band from North Carolina play-ing there (the only other one wasGreensboro High School in 1954) andhe would be honored to write a letterof recommendation for us. I told himthat my experience at Midwest wasrather limited but he suggested Iattend the next clinic and rediscoverMidwest. Thanks to his encouragement,I did just that and the performance ofour lives started to form.

I attended many wonderful perform-ances and clinics during the 2000Midwest Clinic but the one that Iwould recommend that anyone attendif they are interested in applying toplay at Midwest is the clinic presentedby Mark Kelly on the application

process. After hearing some of themost outstanding band performances Ihad ever heard, I was unsure if I shouldapply. Mr. Kelly’s clinic gave my think-ing some very important direction andsome very important advice. Eventhough everything is spelled out clearlyin the application, Mr. Kelly gavegreater insight to the whole process. As the clinic came near to the end, Iwas making up my mind that we shouldapply... then he said “Don’t feel badabout your application being rejected...that great band you just heard appliedfour times before they made it!” Myheart sank! For a moment, I felt “Whatam I thinking?” Even with Mr. Kelly’sstrong but true statement, Gary Smith’swords echoed... “Apply!”

I came home and shared my experi-ences with the Band. They were excit-ed about the idea even though theywere unaware what Midwest was andwhat it would mean to them, our BandProgram, our school, and in our case,our State! I showed them the MidwestClinic History book, “The First FiftyYears,” and other publications, such asthis newsletter, for them to have someconcept as to what this is all about. Werecorded our music and put togetherour application. Space does not allowme to say as much about that as Iwould like to but I would be happy to discuss that with anyone who isinterested and can be reached at [email protected]. I vividly rememberthe day I mailed the package, and thenervousness I felt as I mailed it. Soon acalm came about. I felt that our appli-cation represented the best work I can doand I was happy with it, no matter what!

You can imagine my proud expres-

sions as I read the letter of acceptanceto the students. The room filled withapplause and there was a new level ofreal accomplishment that we had neverfelt before... this unheard Band fromRaleigh, NC, that only eight years agostarted with thirty-two members, isgoing to be the first High School Bandfrom North Carolina to perform atMidwest since 1954!

We chose a chairperson and formedcommittees to cover every aspect.From the very first meeting, this groupwent to work with a common goal inmind. This was the most important eventthat has ever happened to us and wewould work together to give it our best!

When one arrives at this point, oneis challenged in several areas: musically,financially, logistically, and emotionally.We were challenged in all these areasbut grew as a committee and in pur-pose. As our beloved United States ofAmerica dealt with 11 Sept 01, so wehad to as well. The trials and events ofour entire journey were amazinglychronicled by staff writer Mary E.Miller and photojournalist Scott Sharpefor a six-chapter feature in The News & Observer entitled “Measure byMeasure” and can be viewed in a multi-media presentation online at

The Performance of our Lives…“Measure by Measure”

David S. Albert

www.newsobserver.com/band. I highlyrecommend this site to you if you wantan in-depth look at the great thingsthat can come about as a result of thisprestigious event!

We went about the process of select-ing the program and guest conductors.We worked with composers, arrangers,publishing companies and just abouteverybody else in the music business.This part was as exciting as it was frus-trating at times but in the end wearrived at a program that fit within theMidwest purpose and a program webelieved in! Rest assured these stepsare very well explained and presentedin the famous “Director Memos”!

We held several open rehearsalsright before our departure. We wantedto practice performing the music fromthe opening note to the last note withan audience right at the end of ourbells. This helped us be prepared forthe most informed and discerning audi-ence we would ever perform for.

There are no words that can explainthe feeling we all felt as we arrived inthe beautiful Hilton Chicago and expe-rienced the Clinic. The students havewritten about their experiences and allof them commented about how “cool”the exhibits and College Night wereand how the reality of it all was begin-ning to form... this was really big! Ourdress rehearsal at the Hilton was, byany standard, bad. Luckily, we had

planned some needed rest and time forrelaxing before the next day’s concert.

As many have stated about theirperformance in the past, the concertwent by too quickly. The students werecomfortable about playing and enjoyedevery note! I can honestly say that wemade music! The Band played at a highlevel consistently throughout the con-cert and felt proud of what they hadaccomplished. I too was very proud tobe a part of this highlight of our BandProgram and in my career that twoyears ago was totally out of the ques-tion. I want to thank my wife Heidi andfamily for their support, Gary Smith forhis encouragement and letter of recom-mendation, Mike Votta and PhilHomiller (who also wrote letters), ourguest conductors, the administration ofthe Midwest Clinic, the Bands Clubparents and school administration fortheir support for our new friends, MaryMiller and Scott Sharp, and of course,my students for their love and dedica-tion to music!

Finally, I would like to thank thewonderful audience that we enjoyed somuch! Thank you for coming and shar-ing the performance of our lives! As Ioften say at a concert “Besides... with-out you... this is just a rehearsal!”Would I ever consider doing this again?You bet I will! I hope you will considerit too!

— David S. Albert

Clinic HandoutUpdate

So that teachers around theworld can view them andprint them for their personaluse, we will be posting clin-ic handouts on our websitelater this spring. Detailedhandouts are one of the bestresources available to edu-cators and are a key factorin a clinic’s effectiveness.Beginning this year, we willplace greater emphasis onhandouts in our instructionsto the clinicians. We willalso increase the number ofcopies that we suggest theyprepare, so that no one whoattends a session goes awayempty-handed.

Hilton Chicago ReservationInformation

The Hilton Chicago will beginaccepting housing reservationsfor the 56th annual MidwestClinic on April 1, 2002. Pleasecall the Hilton to reserve yourroom.

312-922-4400 or 1-800-HILTONS

Leesville Road High School Symphonic Band, Raleigh, North Carolina

Being selected to perform at the2001 Midwest Clinic was highlyrewarding and fun! Out of all the

things that the Edison Middle SchoolJazz Band One has achieved, nothing hasbeen more exciting. Over the years, thisjazz band has received numerous awardsand high ratings from contests and festi-vals. Despite these accomplishments, theMidwest Clinic has been the coup degrace of performances. Nothing is quitelike performing in front of a large groupof music educators who can truly appre-ciate the students’ and teachers’ efforts.Since being selected to perform in theclinic, we've achieved a more intensefocus, higher standards of performance,more discipline, and a greater sense ofachievement, increased enthusiasm forjazz band.

Jazz Band One started rehearsals inAugust just before the start of the schoolyear. Gigs were planned in advance of theMidwest performance so that the stu-dents would get accustomed to playing infront of large crowds. Rehearsals werelonger than those in prior years. Therewere additional sessions for jazz improvi-sation development and additional prac-tice time for the vocalist as well. As aresult, before the first gig in October, stu-dents learned enough arrangements toperform for at least a 90-minute set. Infact, they had never had so manyarrangements learned so early in theyear. Since Jazz Band Two generallyopens the gigs, we prepared for at least a30-minute set earlier in the year as well.Hence, by this time of the year, all of thejazz band students were already showinga greater sense of accomplishment andmore enthusiasm for jazz band and otherperformance ensembles.

The jazz bands had reached new lev-els of performance just after a few gigs.The solos had improved greatly! Theensemble started coming together andthe musical feel was relaxed andswingin'. Many jazz band parents report-ed that their child was practicing somuch that they had to be reminded toeat dinner. With the additional excite-ment of having professional guest artiststo perform along with the group at Midwest,

we were preparing with great anticipationfor a special and memorable event.

For the Midwest performance, wechartered a bus and planned anovernight trip. This trip included plannedrehearsals and other clinic activities. Onthe day of the performance, tensionstarted to build. The students were anx-ious to display their hard work andefforts. They were, however, confidentfrom having played the many gigs bookedprior to the big performance.Nevertheless, the seriousness of the per-formance began to take hold of thegroup. During the sound check, AntonioGarcía assured the students that it wouldprove to be a wonderful experience andreinforced his favorable impression ofthe group's audition tape and soundcheck. He gave the kids permission torelax and have fun! It was amazing to seethe room fill with music educators fromall over.

Once the band started playing, imme-diately the audience applauded withgreat appreciation and encouragementand the band relaxed and the fun began!They were excited, and we were too! Itproved to be a great performance. RonBridgewater and Ron McCurdy, the guestartists, played fantastically along withthe band. Our featured vocalist, AliHobbs, brought the house to lengthyapplause. It was an all around superexperience for the jazz band director,Sam Hankins, and guest performers andguest directors, John Currey (Central

High School, Champaign, IL) and KevinTurner (Edison Middle School,Champaign, IL). Afterward, many of theaudience members greeted and encour-aged the students. In addition, SammyNestico came backstage to meet the kids.Of course, we were all honored to havebeen complimented by him. The studentsknow his work from having played someof his charts.

The improvement of musicianship injazz band has had a positive effect on notonly the individuals in jazz band, butthose in concert band and orchestra aswell. Students are learning their respec-tive parts in all ensembles with moreattention to detail. The intensity thatthey put into preparing for Midwest isbeing applied to the other ensembles.More students are taking private lessonsand have even purchased better qualityinstruments in preparation for nextyear's jazz band auditions. We are lookingforward to an even better year for bothjazz bands as a result of having per-formed in the prestigious Midwest Clinic.

— Kevin Turner and Sam Hankins

The Midwest Experience

Edison Middle School Jazz Band One, Champaign, Illinois

Kevin Turner Sam Hankins

The following article was adapted fromremarks delivered by Mohamad Schumanduring his December 22, 2001 MidwestClinic concert.

Iam truly hon-ored to bestanding

before each of youtoday. Words simplycannot express theamount of joy thatwas felt with thenews of our accept-ance to perform atthe 2001 Midwest Clinic. The MidwestClinic Board of Directors asked me tospeak during our concert about the suc-cess that I have experienced with my ownband program and additionally to encour-age groups from other small schools toapply for consideration.

Today, I am not here to give you anymagic pill or potion for instant successbecause to my knowledge they simply donot exist. What I would like to do is pres-ent you with some information that I thinkhas contributed to the success of theStone Band Program. I strongly feel thatthe accomplishments of our students andstaff are a direct result of hard work,determination, and perseverance.

As you all know, band is not amicrowaveable product, yet we are livingin what one would consider to be amicrowaveable world. People want the endresult with the fastest meanspossible. However, band instruction andlearning is somewhat like a slow roasting

procedure. While there are new develop-ments to enhance the educational process,band today in many ways is the same as itwas twenty-five or more years ago. I do mybest to explain this to the students enter-ing the program at the beginning level.

Rather than setting limits for what canbe achieved within our program, weinstead set goals and then work collective-ly to achieve them. Even when we fallshort it is not failure, but rather delay. Aseducators, we set the tone for the learningthat will take place and the willingness tolearn within each student. Students meetour expectations, especially when theyknow that you genuinely care about them.

In addition to quality instruction and achild’s willingness to learn, there arethree key ingredients that I believe arenecessary to develop and maintain a suc-cessful program. These are parental, com-munity, and school support. The StoneBand Program is fortunate to have thesecrucial elements in place.

• Our parent organization is a vital partof our program, for these peoplegive countless hours both individuallyand collectively to support the StoneBand Program.

• Our community not only demonstratesan unfaltering support of the StoneBand Program, but it also strongly sup-ports all other educational areas withinour school system.

The Stone County School Board &Administrative Officials provide us withthe tools through which our program can

achieve success. Three major ways theyaccomplish this goal is by providing:(1) the number of instructional staff

needed for the number of studentswithin the program

(2) budget monies to operate, maintain,and build a quality program... andmost importantly,

(3) a steadfast commitment to the sched-uling process.

ALL BAND CLASSES IN THE STONEBAND PROGRAM MEET EACH DAY.We are fortunate that in this time of whatI will call “scheduling experimentation”our school officials demonstrate a firmunderstanding of the importance of dailyreinforcement of performance skills.

Although the Stone Band Program isrepresentative of a small school in arather small area (student enrollment atStone High School is 750), the studentsthat make up our program are no differentthan any other kids. To view their achieve-ment potential in any other way would beto render my students a great disservice.

We auditioned for the Midwest Clinicthree times before being accepted. Evenwhen the band wasn’t selected, we allgrew simply by going through the auditionprocess. Walking through this “MidwestExperience” has been a journey worthmaking. Therefore, I would like to chal-lenge those of you who are teachers insmall schools to give it a shot.

Dare to accept the challenge of yourdreams... for anything is possible!

— Mohamad Schuman

A Journey Worth Making

Mohamad Schuman

Stone High School Symphonic Band, Wiggins, Mississippi

As the March 15 receipt deadlinefor Midwest Clinic Applicationsapproaches, questions annually

arise as to what the Board of Directors isseeking in clinic content and in theapplication itself.

Grassroots EducationThe Midwest Board is committed to

bringing attendees information usefulthe day they return to their classes andrehearsals. If you review past successfulpresentations, you’ll find an increasingfocus on “Music 101” topics: approachesthat will aid the band, orchestra, or jazzdirectors in their first years—or willassist veteran educators by providingnew avenues towards solving recurringchallenges in music education. Printedhandouts containing practical informa-tion—not just an artist bio—are anessential, valuable resource for atten-dees. Successful presentations of a more“esoteric” nature are not common atMidwest.

Sponsorship?It is not necessary for a clinician to

have a sponsor, but all clinicians areresponsible for their fees and expenses.Midwest believes there are potential pre-senters worldwide who are not yet knownas “big names,” especially the small-school and/or inner-city educators whohave learned how to achieve great quali-ty in their music programs despite signif-icant odds. It can be helpful for suchapplicants to demonstrate that they havealready presented workshops at the localor regional level, but the Board is opento new applications that will introduce usall to the next generation of “big names.”

Target what you are going to accom-plish and offer a reasonably detailed pro-posal to Midwest, not just a title andbiographical statement. If other, equallydeserving topic-approaches are explainedmore convincingly than yours, you maynot be chosen.

Education vs. Hard SellThe Midwest Clinic wishes to heighten

the educational experience of the confer-ence and lessen any potential overtonesof commercialism: clinics at Midwest areto teach educational concepts, not pro-mote products or services. The Board hasfound that most hour-long workshopsthat attempt to survey the applications ofan entire text are not nearly as effectivefor our attendees as clinics that focus ona limited number of topics and solutions.So if you are an author/developer, forexample, your application may need toreveal a different approach from evenyour successful presentations deliveredat various trade shows, in-service ses-sions, and state music education confer-ences.

For example, you may have a book orproduct that represents the overall com-pilation of your approach: it may even befor sale in the exhibit area of theMidwest Clinic. But instead of offering aone-hour, “infomercial”-style tour of yourproduct, you can easily explore any num-ber of educational angles on string bow-ing, brass playing, jazz theory, or cham-ber music repertoire—without having tosell outright your own text, play-alongCD, or technological creation. Your appli-cation and clinic might be most successfulif you ask yourself the following questions:• What concepts are most critical to my

workshop?• What specific examples from my book

or resource are most valuable for myhandout?

• Are there appropriate views otherthan my own—alternate references orapproaches—that may serve not onlyto inform my audience but alsoincrease my being perceived as anartist/educator rather than a companyspokesperson?

The following examples may assistyour perspective as to the MidwestClinic’s guidelines for clinicians:

Acceptable:• Using examples excerpted from your

publication or resource.• Including an order blank in your

handout.• Inviting attendees to visit your exhibit

booth during Midwest.• Setting flyers for your product or serv-

ice on a table at the rear of your clinicroom.

Unacceptable:• Titling your session so as to communi-

cate total reliance on the product.• Guiding the attendees page-by-page

through your publication so as to pro-mote an introduction to the wholeproduct rather than focusing on itseducational substance.

• Making repeated references to theavailability of the item for purchase.

• Distributing samples of your productat your clinic.

The Midwest Clinic believes that clini-cians can present the concepts inherent intheir publications/resources without com-municating a “hard-sell” attitude.

DecisionThe decision of the Board of Directors

as to which clinic applications areaccepted for a given year depends notonly on the quality of the proposal andits relevance to our attendees but also onthe overall menu of priority topics andhow best to serve attendees in a givenyear. Thus achieving a balance of topics

Applying to Present at the Midwest Clinic

Antonio J. García

may mean declining a number of excel-lent clinic applications.

Your ContributionIf you have questions about these

guidelines or any aspect of the clinicapplication process, please contact theMidwest Clinic office or a member ofthe Board of Directors. Midwest Clinic

attendees are dedicated educators whoare searching for information,approaches, and resources they canapply to their own music programs. Byconcentrating on practical guidanceand instruction, you will help themmeet their goals in attending theMidwest Clinic.

— Antonio J. García

Antonio J. García is the Directorof Jazz Studies at VirginiaCommonwealth University.

T he Moorhead Sixth GradeOrchestra performed in theGrand Ballroom on Tuesday

afternoon, December 18 at 1:30. Aspart of their assignment for school,each orchestra member kept a jour-nal of the trip to Chicago. What fol-lows is the journal entry where stu-dents were prompted to write a letterto a friend describing the orchestra'sexperience at the Midwest Clinic.

Dear Jodi:I am writing to you to tell you how

our concert day in Chicago went. I gotup early Tuesday morning and ourorchestra went to the Whitney YoungHigh School and gave a very goodrehearsal concert. After that we wentback to our hotel and had about anhour to just relax before we wouldhave to leave for the Grand Ballroomat the Hilton Hotel.

When we got to the Hilton, I hadbutterflies in my stomach from beingnervous, but I was still very excited.The Grand Ballroom was just beauti-ful, and when I walked in I felt like amillion bucks. When we started ourrehearsal in the Grand Ballroom itwas just as Mr. Cole had said: youcould hear a beautiful ring on everycutoff. After the rehearsal we waitedoutside the ballroom and I was readyto share my emotions with the crowdof people that was coming in.

When we started playing, I was so

proud! My emotions during our firstpiece “March Heroic” were awesome.I felt so happy to have the first songunder our belt, and in my opinion, if Ihad been coming to this concert andheard that song for the first time, Iwould have felt really happy. I thinkthe piece that went the best was the“Torch Burns Bright.” When I startedplaying that song I got tears in myeyes. It was the last song of the con-cert. I got this rush through my body.I was kind of like, “Oh no, this is thelast song!” You just felt that you didn’twant the concert to ever end, yet itwent by so, so, fast! When we playedthe last note of our last song I got ahuge rush of happiness and proud-ness. We were done and it felt great!We had been working so hard foralmost nine months.

It was worth it—I know one thing

for sure though. We were living adream that I’m sure every otherorchestra member in the past hasdreamed of— playing at Midwest. Itwas awesome. I wanted to pinchmyself to make sure that I was reallythere. Usually when we practicetogether, we have good songs andthere are always songs that needwork. It was a really neat feeling toknow that everything was going ourway! We didn't mess up in the concertand no one even broke a string—itwas magical, a dream come true. Idon't think I will ever be able toexplain the feelings I had when weplayed at Midwest.

Sincerely,Lauren DodaMoorhead Sixth Grade OrchestraMrs. Anderson's Class

Moorhead Sixth Grade Orchestra, Moorhead, Minnesota

828 Davis Street, Suite 100Evanston, Illinois 60201-4423

Presorted Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDGlenview, IL 60025

Permit No. 15

OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ray E. Cramer, President Harry Begian, Vice-PresidentMark S. Kelly, Vice-President

Victor Zajec, SecretaryGlenn E. Holtz, Treasurer

Richard E. BrittainJohn Clinton

Richard C. CrainJacquelyn Dillon-Krass

Rodney DorseyJ. Richard Dunscomb

Antonio J. GarcíaMark Kjos

Ed LiskDavid C. McCormick

Denny SenseneyDorothy StraubJohn Whitwell

BOARD MEMBERS EMERITUSEugene W. AllenNeil A. Kjos, Jr.Dorothy KunkelMarvin J. Rabin

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATORKelly S. Jocius

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTDarcy A. Nendza

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE828 Davis Street, Suite 100Evanston, IL 60201-4423

(847) 424-4163FAX (847) 424-5185

[email protected]://www.midwestclinic.org

Apply to perform in 2002! Print an application from

www.midwestclinic.org, or call or e-mail theMidwest Clinic office to request that an application be mailed or faxed to you.

Applications are due on March 15.

56th Annual Midwest Clinic—December 17-21, Hilton Chicago