CJ Replay: Care & Feeding of Clinicians

(From the Choral Journal article Guidelines from the MPA: Music Publishers’ Association of the United States [scroll to page 41].)

 

Each year, clinics and workshops increase in numbers and importance. They offer new opportunities, and every effort should be made to insure the success of each workshop. It iseasy to overlook some of the basics, so here they are:

 

1. Workshop programs must be finalized three months in advance. Otherwise, publisherscannot guarantee that the music selected will be available when needed.

 

2. Obtain a current biography, together with a photograph and an up-to-date list of publications,from the clinician. Insure that you can provide all the equipment needed to make the workshop a success.

 

3. Flyers should be in the mail at least one month prior to the workshop. Be sure to make clear what the workshop is about and when and where it will take place.

 

4. Printed music should be available for purchase at the workshop – If not in the same room, then close by. It is frustrating to attend a workshop and not to be able to buy the materials demonstrated.

 

5. Biographical information, as well as a current list of the clinician’s publications, should be included in the packets.

 

6. When introducing clinicians, insure that full credit is given to achievements and expertise. Draw attention to their published works, and have a good supply of these available. Most clinicians would prefer to have someone else sing their praises!

 

7. Take good care of your clinician. Giving workshops is hard work. So, treat them well! Courteous, friendly concern and care usually means a happy clinician. We all work better when we feel we are appreciated!

 

8. Meet your clinicians at the airport. Organize hotel arrangements and meals well in advance. Be sure they have all the information pertaining to their workshop.

 

9. Insure that the lecture room is suitable and fully supplied.

 

10. At the conclusion of the workshop, organize: a) an expression of thanks! b) arrangement for immediate payment! c) transporting the clinician to the airport! d) It is strongly recommended that you arrange for the clinician to be paid immediately upon completing the workshop.  If this is not possible, insure that the arrangements are understood and accepted well in advance.