The workshops cover band performance enhancement, swing jazz insights, stylistic exploration, and tailored camp sessions led by expert clinician Peter Foley.
| Big Band Intensive | This 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. |
| Pre-Festival Critical Listening & Workshop | 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. |
| Make it swing | 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. |
| Guest clinician | 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. |
| The 4 Corners Clinic | 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. |
| Camps | Peter is offering 1-3 day camp 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. |