Concept-Based Music Education
Conceptual Band and Orchestra Clinics offers concept-based music clinics for concert bands, marching bands, string orchestras and full orchestras serving levels elementary through college.
The goal of CBO Clinics is to provide instrumental music teachers and students with professional observation, interaction and feedback that is tailored to fit the unique needs of each ensemble.
Brian Murphy is the Director of Orchestras and Assistant Director of Bands at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. In his fifteen 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, a K-12 charter school 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). The Dobson Mustang Marching Band consistently received ratings of Superior or Superior with Distinction under his direction. Mr. Murphy assisted in conducting the Dobson Symphony Orchestra’s performance at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic (1996).
For over thirty years, Mr. Murphy has taught band and orchestra in the public schools of Arizona. His experiences include elementary and middle school, high school and college levels. He is now the owner of Conceptual Band and Orchestra Clinics LLC. In this capacity, he is active as a band/orchestra adjudicator and clinician in Arizona and throughout the Southwest. Mr. Murphy is supported by a beautiful wife and four wonderful children.
Brian Murphy brings a positive energy and excitement for the artistry in music each time he visits our school. His kindness generates a comfortable learning environment where all students thrive and maximize their potential. Throughout the year, Brian has helped many students learn new instruments with efficiency so that they are ready to perform in concerts with their peers, and his expertise guides them toward developing characteristic tone and precise music-reading skills. Brian has also provided instruction regarding advanced concepts for our more experienced musicians, and he guides them in expanding their ensemble awareness to develop continuous improvement in intonation, balance, and blend. It is fun to collaborate with Brian outside of the rehearsal setting as he offers unique perspectives from his many successful years of teaching performers of all ages. He is willing to help in any way possible, and his generosity in sharing instructional ideas has helped me be a better teacher as well. I highly recommend Brian Murphy and his Conceptual Band and Orchestra Clinics!
Julie Trent
Band Director
Hamilton High School
Chandler, Arizona
Brian is an animated, fun clinician. He gives multiple solutions for problems and tries them all with the students. The ensemble saw immediate progress during their clinic and asked for him to return.
Brian prepares ahead for the clinics and has many ideas to offer various levels of ensembles.
Colleen Bosselli
Director of Bands
Isaac Middle School
Phoenix, AZ
We hired Brian Murphy to work with our full orchestra up in Prescott during our annual retreat. He works so well with the students and keeps them actively engaged in rehearsals. He shares his knowledge in a way that draws the students in and has a way to make them laugh with his stories. The students were impressed with Brian and many have said that they would be interested in working with him again, which we definitely will!
Kayla Pierce
Director of Orchestras
Dobson High School
Mesa, 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’s dedication to music education in Arizona is inspiring. He fosters exciting and uplifting musical relationships with the students and teachers that he works with. I consider him to be one of the best educators in our state.
James O’Halloran
Director of Bands
Boulder Creek High School
Anthem, AZ
ABODA President 2017-2019
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
Boulder Creek High School Marching Band and Concert Bands
Chandler High School Marching Band
Campo Verde High School Concert Bands
Campo Verde High School Orchestras
Canyon del Oro High School Marching Band
Desert Ridge High School Marching Band
Desert Vista High School Concert Band
Dobson High School Marching Band
Dobson High School Orchestra
Gilbert Classical Academy Orchestra
Gilbert High School Orchestras
Hamilton High School Marching Band and Concert Bands
Hamilton High School Orchestras
Isaac Middle School Concert Band
Marcos de Niza High School Marching Band and Concert Bands
Marcos de Niza High School Orchestra
Mesa High School Marching Band
Mesquite High School Marching Band
Red Mountain High School Orchestra
Sandra Day O”Connor High School Marching Band
Sierra Verde 8th Grade Concert Band
Tempe High School Concert Band
Westwood High School Orchestras
Williams Field High School Marching Band and Concert Bands