PHI BETA MU INTERNATIONAL
International Bandmasters Fraternity
The Midwest Clinic | 2024
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 Midwest Clinic offers music educators and musicians alike an unmatched networking opportunity.
Midwest Clinic registration is now open and hotels are available.
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
3 to 6 PM · Board of Directors meeting
Marriott Marquis (conference room tba)
Thursday, December 19, 2024
8 AM · Awards Breakfast
9 AM · General Assembly meeting
PBMI Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast
PBMI Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast has moved to the Chicago Marriott Marquis, Great Lakes Ballroom, connected to the McCormick Place Convention Center.
By moving our Annual Meeting event to McCormick Place, we hope that its close proximity to the Clinic events will benefit all who wish to partake in the increasing number of band performances and clinics.
Welcome Rho Omicron Chapter, Poland!
At our Midwest meetings last December, International Past President Keith Bearden reported that he was in conversation with Dariusz Krajewski, director of a community band in Poland about forming a Phi Beta Mu chapter.
On July 7, 2024, the chapter became a reality as Rho Omicron Chapter was installed on July 7, 2024, in Krzysztof Penderecki’s Concert Hall of the Oskar Kolberg Music School of Radom with PBM International Past President Keith Bearden presiding. The meeting was also attended by Mu Alpha (Alberta) Past President Mike S. Townsend.
Brother Bearden reports that the new members are all outstanding band directors, and all have a desire for continued growth. Two additional members who had duties with student travel at the time of the meeting will be inducted soon. The new members wore their pins proudly and we’ll likely see some of them at Midwest.
President Dariusz Krajewski,
Secretary Alicja Sobczak-Dmuchowska,
Vice President Krzysztof Malicki
New Commission is Announced!
We are pleased to announce that we have commissioned Adrian Sims for the 2024 Commission Project.
Contributions from Chapters or individuals are now being accepted with a deadline of October 15, 2024.
Outstanding Bandmaster Interviews
Outstanding Bandmaster 2023
Past President Keith Bearden recently completed interviewing all living recipients of the Phi Beta Mu International Outstanding Bandmaster Award. The list of luminaries includes John Bourgeois, Ray Cramer, Frederick Fennell, Mallory Thompson, Paula Crider and Alfred Watkins among our distinguished recipients. We hope you will check out some of these interviews as the reflect on their careers.
Band Composer Interviews
At our recent Phi Beta Mu International meetings at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, we were encouraged by Dr. Quincy Hilliard to archive interviews of band composers who have been leaders in the band movement by composing music for young and developing ensembles. This project is just in its infancy and we hope many of you will help with collecting these interviews. The recent passing of Robert W. Smith at age 64 adds urgency to the project as many of our noted composers are enjoying their senior years. Our initial approach will be for each chapter to take responsibility for interviewing composers from their state or chapter.
Those willing to do interviews can use our Outline of Questions as a guide. Thank you in advance for your willingness to help with this important project!
Once the first few interviews are complete we will place them on our YouTube channel with a link on our website.
PBM Elections 2023
Congratulations to the two new Board members
(Alpha Chapter – Texas)
(Psi Chapter – Kentucky)
(Nu Chapter – Pennsylvania)
is Vice President (President Elect) by acclamation
2023 recipient of Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction
Congratulations to the Aledo High School Band. They are the winner of the 2023 Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction award.
Joey Paul, director
Welcome Alpha Iota Chapter
On March 3rd, 2023 International Board Member and Nu (PA) President Travis Weller installed Alpha Iota Chapter during a meeting at the Maryland Music Educators Conference. The installation was a result of the efforts of Walter Harley to renew the chapter, which had lapsed several years ago.
Anthony Townes, Chan’nel Howard, (President) Cynthia Stevenson, Krystal Williams, Kimberly Hirschmann, (Secretary) Amber Abbott, (Vice-President) Kerry Gilliard
Bottom Left-Right
Mark Lortz, Eric Posner, A. Danielle Gilliard, (Board Member) John Stevenson, Christopher Cicconi, Lionel Harrell, (Board Member) Alphonso Jiles, Kelvin W. Washington, and Walter Harley
Announcing the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Contributor Award
Congratulations to the 2023 Phi Beta Mu International Outstanding Contributor to Bands, Mr. Tom Rhodes. The award will be presented at the 2023 PBM Awards Breakfast during The Midwest Clinic.
The Outstanding Contributor Award honors an individual for outstanding contribution to the support and/or development of bands. The individual may be a composer, administrator, business person, etc. who makes a significant contribution to our profession.
Announcing the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Bandmaster Award
Congratulations to Gary D. Green, Emeritus Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.
2022 Phi Beta Mu International Commission a Hit!
Alegría — Carol Brittin Chambers
The 2022 Phi Beta Mu International Commission was the grand finale at the Henry Middle School Concert at The Midwest Clinic, December 2023.
Midwest Meetings – Transitions
At the PBM General Assembly meeting on December 20, 2023 at The Midwest Clinic, the International Board of Directors announced some transitions to the Board.
Educational Outreach
Several of our members from a variety of chapters have reached out to share helpful articles and ideas to assist you this fall. Many thanks to the contributors – we appreciate their involvement in the project!
Members in the News
A new section features just a few of the most recent accomplishments of our talented Phi Beta Mu members!
Two sets of donated uniforms from great Texas Tech Alumni, Abby Crawford and Sara Steele Hill, were sent to Ireland (Keith Kelly) and Brazil (André Oliveira) from San Antonio! Thanks to Keith Bearden, June Bearden and Trisha Burrell for helping in this worthwhile project and to the Phi Beta Mu International Assistance Fund for helping with transit expenses.
Phi Beta Mu Reaches Out to International Band Scene
The Phi Beta Mu Board of Directors has created an International Assistance Fund (IAF) to provide assistance to school/community bands in foreign countries. Funding is to be used for supplies or classroom equipment purchased locally in the foreign country, or for assistance in the transport, shipping, or mailing of items. Awards will not exceed $500 to any one school or program.
Applications from Phi Beta Mu members will be received at any time during the year. Inquiries and submissions are to be directed to the Executive Secretary David Lambert. Requests will be approved or declined within seven working days.
Please use your member login and go the Forms & Documents page to access more information regarding the application process.
2022 Commission Project
Carol Brittin Chambers
Composer, owner of Aspenwood Music
The Executive Board of Phi Beta Mu is dedicated to promoting quality music for the wind band by commissioning new literature that contributes to the existing band repertoire for all grade levels as we work to build better bands. We are pleased to announce that we have commissioned Carol Brittin Chambers as the composer of a new work for wind band. This new composition is a Grade 3-3.5, and the projected completion date was summer 2022.
Chapter Special Projects
It is exciting to see the themes of mentorship, collaboration and leadership demonstrated by the actions of Phi Beta Mu members and chapters. The ideals of our fraternity are reflected in the special projects that local chapters focus their time and energy on each year.
Discover the common threads of service to our profession that bind our chapters and fraternity together.
Chapter Profiles
We want to know more about you!
Public relations chair Martin Carey-Becker is soliciting information in order to expand our awareness of each of our 35 chapters. Even though we have much in common, each of our Phi Beta Mu chapters is unique. By sharing this information we become more connected as a fraternity and the bonds of life, love and music are strengthened.
For more information about this project contact Martin Carey-Becker at becker.martinandjudy@gmail.com
View the profiles from 27 of our 35 chapters. Help us complete our roster by submitting your chapter profile today.
