Conceptual Band and Orchestra Clinics

• Pre-session conference customizing the clinic to best fit the needs of the director and the ensemble(s)
• Evaluation and feedback on tuning, warm-ups, technical exercises, performance literature and other musical concepts
• Concert and festival performance preparation
• Coaching for directors in ensemble rehearsal skills and conducting
• Sectional rehearsals focused on performance literature and/or instrument specific techniques (Examples: chromatic fingerings, mallet technique, lip slur exercises, bow control)
• Chamber ensemble coaching
• Tools for helping band directors effectively teach strings
• Strategies for orchestra teachers to comfortably teach winds and percussion
• Solutions for improved ensemble instrumentation and individual assistance for students switching instruments
• Selection assistance of playing level appropriate quality performance literature
• Music performance analysis and recommendations for marching band (Available for full ensemble and sectional rehearsals at band camps)

Brian Murphy is the Director of Orchestras and Assistant Director of Bands at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. In his twenty years at Mesa Community College, the orchestra program has grown both in size and musical maturity. While teaching at the college, Mr. Murphy also spent sixteen years building a band and guitar program at Horizon Honors Elementary and Secondary Schools in Phoenix. The program grew to include five bands and two guitar classes for students in grades 5-12.

Prior to teaching at Horizon, Mr. Murphy spent nine years as the band director and assistant orchestra director at Dobson High School in Mesa. During his tenure at Dobson, the bands received numerous awards including invitations to perform at the AMEA State Conference (1996, 2000) and at the MENC National Conference (1998). Under his direction, the Dobson Mustang Marching Band consistently received ratings of Superior or Superior with Distinction. Brian assisted in conducting the Dobson Symphony Orchestra’s performance at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic (1996).

In February of 2021, Mr. Murphy was selected as the Music Educator of the Year by the Arizona Music Educators Association. Mr. Murphy also received the Arizona Music Educators Association O.M. Hartsell “Excellence in Music Teaching” award in 2014. In 2023, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame for the Kappa Zeta Chapter.

Currently, Mr. Murphy is a conductor and the Associate Artistic Director with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Mesa AZ.

Brian is the owner of Conceptual Band & Orchestra Clinics LLC. In this capacity, he is active as an adjudicator and clinician in Arizona and throughout the Southwest.

Brian consistently demonstrates an insightful ability to gauge where a group needs to be met and how to quickly and effectively advance them forward from that point. I will continue to welcome Brian into my classroom, not only because he is masterful from the podium, but because he engages students with a warmth, positivity and generosity of spirit that communicates “we are here together, in the service of music.”

Leo Werner
Band Director
Hamilton High School
Chandler, Arizona

---

Brian is a terrific clinician that utilizes all the important rehearsal techniques in a comfortable setting that kids understand. From start to finish, the clinic is a fast paced environment that keeps all students involved with audible improvements. I highly recommend Brian as an everyday clinician!

Brian prepares ahead for the clinics and has many ideas to offer various levels of ensembles.

Colleen Bosselli
Director of Bands
G.E. Mosley Middle School
Tempe, AZ

---

My students are not the only ones that have reaped the benefits of Brian’s expertise. As their teacher, I have also learned so much from him and thoroughly enjoy having him work with my students! I highly recommend Brian and his Conceptual Band & Orchestra Clinics.

Crystal Payne
Director of Orchestras
Campo Verde High School
Gilbert, AZ

---

Every time Brian comes in to work with my program, not only do the students grow as musicians, but I grow as a conductor.  Mr. Murphy works quickly and efficiently to improve the ensemble sound within an hour of work and the students have a great time!  We are excited to have Brian out even more this year.

Matt Kozacek
Director of Bands
Campo Verde High School
Gilbert, AZ

---

Brian Murphy creatively finds ways to reach students of all levels and helps them find the music between the notes on the page. His passion for music making is evident and my students have always come away from his clinics excited and thirsty for more!

John Haggard
Director of Orchestras
Red Mountain High School
Mesa, AZ

Anderson Junior High School Bands

Apollo High School Orchestra

Arizona College Prep Orchestras

Basha High School Marching Band

Basha High School Orchestra

Ben Franklin High School Concert Bands

Ben Franklin High School Orchestras

Bogle Junior High School Concert Band

Boulder Creek High School Marching Band and Concert Bands

Campo Verde High School Concert Bands

Campo Verde High School Orchestras

Canyon del Oro High School Marching Band

Chandler High School Marching Band

Chaparral High School Concert Band

Connelly Middle School Concert Bands

Corona del Sol High School Concert Bands

Corona del Sol High School Orchestras

Deer Valley High School Concert Bands

Deer Valley High School Orchestra

Desert Mountain High School Orchestras

Desert Ridge High School Marching Band

Desert Ridge High School Orchestras

Desert Vista High School Concert Band

Desert Winds Middle School Concert Band

Dobson High School Marching Band and Concert Bands

Dobson High School Orchestras

G.E. Mosley Middle School Concert Bands

Gilbert Christian Schools Concert Bands

Gilbert Classical Academy High School Orchestras

Gilbert High School Orchestras

Glendale High School Orchestra

Greenway High School Orchestra

Hamilton High School Marching Band and Concert Bands

Hamilton High School Orchestras

Highland High School Orchestras

Highland Junior High School Concert Bands

Highland Junior High School Orchestra

Higley High School Marching Band, Concert Bands, and Percussion Ensemble

Higley High School Orchestra

Horizon Honors Elementary School 5th and 6th Grade Bands

Horizon Honors Secondary School Concert Bands

Independence High School Orchestra

Isaac Middle School Concert Band

Kyrene School District

Lauffer Middle School Concert Band

Marcos de Niza High School Marching Band and Concert Band

Marcos de Niza High School Orchestra

McClintock High School Marching Band and Concert Band

Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies Concert Bands

Mesa High School Marching Band

Mesa High School Orchestras

Mesquite High School Marching Band

Moon Valley High School Orchestra

Mountain Pointe High School Marching Band and Concert Bands

Mountain Pointe High School Orchestra

Mountain View High School Orchestras

Music & Arts

91st Psalm High School Concert Band

91st Psalm Middle School Concert Band

Northern Arizona University Music Education

Perry High School Orchestras

Poston Junior High School Concert Bands

Prescott High School Marching Band and Concert Band

Prescott High School Orchestra

Queen Creek High School Concert Bands

Red Mountain High School Orchestras

Sandra Day O’Connor High School Marching Band

Sierra Linda High School Concert Bands

Sierra Linda High School Orchestra

Sierra Verde 8th Grade Concert Band

Tempe Elementary School District

Tempe High School Concert Band

Thunderbird High School Orchestra

Ward Traditional Academy Concert Bands

Ward Traditional Academy Orchestras

Washington High School Orchestra

Westwood High School Orchestras

Williams Field High School Marching Band and Concert Bands