Conn Selmer Institute-National 2026

06/14/2026 - 06/17/2026
In-Person Event

Bethel University
1001 Bethel Circle
Mishawaka, IN

Join us in Mishawaka, IN, for the 29th year of our flagship event. It’s back and better than ever with the longer format, Sunday, June 14 through Wednesday, June 17! The event will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, and conclude at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17. For those attending the Blue Devils Experience on Wednesday at Mishawaka High School, it will conclude at 5:00 p.m. Held on the peaceful campus of Bethel University, CSI National is the perfect retreat for busy educators, college students, and fine arts administrators. Recharge your batteries with concerts, reading band and rehearsal strategy clinics, and relevant and actionable sessions. Get the support you need from the CSI family of music educators and strengthen your network of colleagues and friends.
Register now

Clinic Details

Tuesday, June 16

– EST

If You PLAY Something, SAY Something!

Brian Balmages

Everyone agrees on the importance of playing musically. But HOW is this accomplished? And what does it even mean to play musically? Getting the ensemble to understand its role in breathing life into a phrase is one of the most critical elements in any rehearsal or performance. Explore the difference between true musicality and the concept of “choreographed musicianship” as Balmages engages the audience through performance so attendees can actually EXPERIENCE the different tiers of musicality.

Clinician Details

Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages is known worldwide as a composer and conductor who equally spans the worlds of orchestral, band, and chamber music. His music has been performed by groups ranging from professional symphony orchestras to elementary schools in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, Toronto Centre for the Arts, and many more. He is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest with his work Love and Light, and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Balmages was awarded the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts. In the same year, he was commissioned by his other alma mater, the University of Miami, to compose music for the inauguration of the institution’s 6th president, Dr. Julio Frenk. His music was also performed as part of the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, which was attended by both President Obama and Vice President Biden. As a conductor, Mr. Balmages enjoys regular engagements with all-state and regional ensembles as well as university and professional groups throughout the world. Notable guest conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, Maryborough Music Conference (Australia), College Band Directors Conference, American School Band Directors Association National Conference, numerous state ASTA conferences, Teatro dell’Aquila (Italy), and others. Currently, he is Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.