Participants will learn beginning to advanced playing techniques and how to teach them in hands-on setting with basses provided. Participants will also learn how to hear and solve common ensemble problems in the section at all levels.
Bob Phillips
- Biographical Information
Bob Phillips, author/composer, pedagogue, teacher trainer, and conductor, is renowned as an innovator in string education. He is an expert in the use of large group pedagogy and in the development of eclectic styles for strings. Bob has authored over 25 book series for use in the classroom. He has had over 225 works published for orchestras and bands and is an award-winning ASCAP composer.
For 27 years in Saline, MI, Bob built a string program with over 700 students that was a national model of excellence in both classical and eclectic styes music. He founded the folk-fiddling ensemble the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic who performed more than 80 shows a year as well as playing at the White House multiple times and at The Midwest Clinic.
Bob has been elected "Teacher of the Year" nine times by national, state, and regional associations and has been invited to present clinics in more than 47 states and eight foreign countries. He has served as president of the American String Teachers Association and Director of String Publications for Alfred Publishing. Bob and his wife Pam were honored by both the House and the Senate of the State of Michigan for their contribution to the arts. In 2013 Bob was inducted into The University of Michigan School of Music Hall of Fame. In 2022 ASTA awarded Bob and Pam the Distinguished Service Award for their contributions to string education. Bob and Pam received the Medal of Honor from the Midwest Clinic in 2024.
Jason Heath is the Orchestral Strings Product Specialist for Eastman Music Company. He's also a course creator for Discover Double Bass and is internationally active as a clinician, performer, and online content creator. His podcast, Contrabass Conversations, has published over 1,000 episodes and has been downloaded more than 3 million times.
A decorated veteran teacher, Jason has held faculty positions at DePaul University, Trinity International University, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His former students have secured positions in prestigious ensembles including the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonie Sudwestfalen.
Jason has served on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Bassists. He's also been president of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association and orchestra representative for District VII of the Illinois Music Educators Association.
As a high school orchestra director, Jason led his ensembles to notable performances at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and on international tours to Peru, Spain, and Cuba.
A Northwestern University graduate, Jason played with the Elgin Symphony for 16 seasons and has performed with renowned orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Grant Park Symphony.