The Midwest Clinic 2025

12/17/2025 - 12/19/2025
In-Person Event

McCormick Place West
2317 S Indiana Ave
Chicago, IL 60616

The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference offers guests interested in music education an array of clinics and exhibits, as well as access to music and teaching icons. The conference will also focus on industry trends and future topics in business and music education. With more than 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 40 countries, The Midwest Clinic offers music educators and musicians alike an unmatched networking opportunity.
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Clinic Details

Thursday, December 18

8:30 am – 9:30 am CST

Before Rehearsal: Planning For Your Beginning Jazz Ensemble

George Andrikokus

Delve into the rich world of instrumental jazz—an educational treasure for students. A well-run jazz ensemble cultivates creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. This session, led by experienced clinicians, guides band directors in programming, rehearsing, and administering jazz programs. Learn about valuable resources for ongoing professional growth as jazz educators while also bridging the gap for those with limited experience.

Friday, December 19

8:30 am – 9:30 am CST

Inspiring Hope in our Students...and Ourselves

Peggy Rakas

Join Peggy Rakas, music educator and certified life coach, for a life-affirming session exploring tools from positive psychology to help you stay hopeful and grateful during challenging times. Learn techniques for overcoming obstacles, harnessing the power of awe, practicing gratitude, and shifting perspectives—tools that will uplift both you and your students, leaving you with actionable strategies to create a brighter, more positive path forward.

Clinician Details

George Andrikokus

George Andrikokus

George Andrikokus is the director of bands, and instrumental jazz programs at Hinsdale Middle School. He currently holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master's degree in teacher leadership from Elmhurst University. Under his leadership, George’s students have had many opportunities to perform at contests and festivals throughout the Midwest including their most recent honor, performing at the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic in December of 2023. George was a recipient of the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and the IGSMA Barbara Buehlman Young Conductor’s Award. In his professional career, he now serves as the Vice President of the Illinois Grade School Music Association, is an active clinician, adjudicator, saxophonist, and guest artist in and around Illinois for various district and state honors ensembles.

Peggy Rakas

Peggy Rakas

Peggy Rakas is a lifelong educator who taught instrumental music in the North Merrick Schools on Long Island and is currently an adjunct professor of music education at Hofstra University. She is the founder of Teaching Positivity – an organization that provides positive psychology workshops for educators across Long Island and is a certified Optimize Life Coach specializing in positive psychology. Ms. Rakas is also a long-time fan of MakeMusic Cloud and is passionate about sharing her love of MakeMusic Cloud with others. During her career, Ms. Rakas was honored with a nomination for the New York State Teacher of the Year and the Disney Teacher Award. She was awarded the SCOPE Teacher Service Award and was twice selected as the Merrick Kiwanis Club - Teacher of the Year.