Monday , 15th December

Up early and sadly had to leave our apartment as we were off to Chicago today.
We caught a taxi to the Port Authority bus station and despite our taxi driver not knowing where we were going, we finally made it $10 later. finding where the bus to La Guardia airport went from, was another small adventure which involved a guy grabbing my bag and taking it to the bus , much to my horror as now I would have to tip him. I gave him $1 as he carried it for all of 5 seconds and he said "Are you kidding, lady" to which I replied- NO , and jumped quickly onto the bus , after making sure my case was secure in the luggage compartment. David closely followed and we set off on what was an amusing journey, as the bus driver talked just about the whole way on his mobile phone to someone about his bathroom renovations . I never knew deciding whether to move a toilet or not, could be so complicated. But...
We had a relatively stress free check in and flight (at 12 noon) and and arrived safely at Chicago O'Hare airport with no dramas. Then we caught the shuttle bus to the City. Cheaper to buy a return for two- only $36 . By now the lousy exchange rate was starting to take its toll.
Got to the Hilton Chicago and Towers where the The Midwest Clinic, An International Band & Orchestra Conference held annually in Chicago was being held and where we were also staying..
www.midwestclinic.com/
Our room was small but very light and comfortable , so after settling in we went off and explored some of the shops we had discovered the last time we were there 6 years ago. i.e.
Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Symphony Center Store where The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs . This is an extremely interesting shop. We spent time listening to music and looking at the gifts/music memorabilia. As I am thinking that a music library in a performance space should sell music souvenirs , this was time well spent.
The Midwest Clinic began on December 7, 1946, when approximately 120 directors from the Chicago area assembled in a YWCA gymnasium on Chicago’s West Side for a six-hour clinic and new music reading session. In 1947, the event was expanded to two days and moved to the Hotel Sherman to take advantage of the larger facilities and accommodations for out-of-town directors.Today, the Midwest Clinic continues to feature performances by outstanding organizations, but now every group that desires to perform must first apply to do so.
Over the years, the focus of the Midwest Clinic has remained on bringing music directors into contact with not only the best published music, but also with new and established teaching techniques, and the latest products and services for the music educator.
As it was very cold we did not venture far for dinner , but just ate dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant.