BIG BAND WORKSHOP
Resources to support Australian School Big Bands
Are you looking to improve your school big band? Look no further! Here you will find outstanding resources, created and assembled by Peter Foley, one of Australia’s most highly recognised and awarded school big band directors. These resources are carefully tailored to support and enhance the journey of your budding jazz musos.
Click here to view the website of NAJE – The Network of Australian Jazz Educators
Band WorkshopsThis comprehensive Big Band workshop covers key elements such as authenticity, phrasing, balance, and rehearsal techniques. It includes a pre-workshop questionnaire and post-workshop evaluation report. The workshop is customizable based on band director input and can be tailored for competition preparation or overall band development. The report provides observed strengths, improvement areas, and repertoire suggestions. This 60-minute workshop is designed for bands with a prepared festival program. It consists of two parts: first, the band performs their program, and a mock adjudication is provided. Secondly, targeted feedback is provided, highlighting both strengths and potential areas for improvement, aimed at refining their upcoming festival performance. The focus is on feedback and improvement. This workshop focuses on swing in Big Band jazz, offering insights into swing concepts, origins, and achieving a good groove. It covers fundamentals, rhythm section roles, horn note placement, space dynamics, band exercises, metronome practice, instrument ownership of beats, impediments to achieving swing, and different types of swing. Typically, but not necessarily, this clinic will involve Peter attending one of the band’s regular rehearsals. Topics covered may include evaluating the band’s performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and engaging students in the music’s ‘story’. Peter may also help students visualize performance day and share past performance anecdotes. This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of four common big band styles, focusing on rhythm section grooves and stylistic requirements for horn sections. Participants will interpret written parts, adapt repertoire, and perform a simple tune in swing, rock, ballad, and Latin styles. The emphasis is on authenticity and attention to detail. Peter is offering 1-3 day sessions to work with bands. Tailored schedules include workshops, clinics, and masterclasses. Band directors must communicate expectations and desired outcomes in advance for effective content delivery. | Director WorkshopsThis session, lasting 45-90 minutes, is suitable for individuals and groups of directors. It covers preparing for a performance, including choosing the right event, highlighting strengths, integrating weaker elements, repertoire selection, rehearsal scheduling, routine importance, and the need for authenticity in band preparation for a competition or important event. This workshop, lasting 45-90 minutes, aims to guide the setup of a new big band program. It covers teaching high-level big band concepts to young bands, selecting repertoire, rehearsal functioning, and student musical responsibilities. The focus is on engaging students in creating and valuing musical moments and setting performance goals. This workshop supports music teachers in unfamiliar ensemble direction roles, focusing on big band directing. It covers differences from other genres, connecting with tradition, band setup, swing fundamentals, musical relationships, teamwork, essential recordings, rehearsal concepts, chart selection, conducting skills, and instrumentation importance. This workshop emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals for a big band program, identifying and leveraging strengths, establishing a supportive program structure, ensuring student attendance and engagement, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, and supporting the development of individual players. The role of the director in communication, advocacy, and differentiation is crucial for the band’s success. This workshop explores the unique role of each member in a big band. It focuses on the responsibilities of players in different sections, emphasizing how understanding these roles leads to increased ownership and contribution to the band. Topics cover sax, trumpet, trombone sections, rhythm section, and essential connections across sections for an effective big band. | Links & Resources |
Some of Peter’s rehearsal & performance suggestions that may be appropriate to YOUR band >>>>>>>
