Brass & Winds Workshops

Brass & Winds Workshops

Barry Sames, Pianist/Keyboardist/Saxophonist: Barry can offer workshops for strings, wind, and brass with simulated percussion, using sequencing on his laptop computer. He explores the following musical styles: jazz, Latin, Brazilian, and Caribbean. He can also offer workshops that explore choral music. Students learn to sing and play rhythms of Latin, African, jazz, blues and gospel genres. The workshops are an interactive forum for learning the varieties vocal improvisation.

Joe Smith, Clarinetist/Saxophonist: Joe Smith offers workshops that present both classical and commercial styles, with a focus on development of technique and the “how’s” of practicing, as well as performance in ensemble and how to approach music of varied styles. The workshops can be adapted in any way to complement the existing curriculum. Joe and his group of musicians can work on such areas as conducting, music theory, intonation, improvisation, and the science of woodwind instruments. Joe works with quartets, quintets, and larger ensembles.

Jill Haley, Oboist: Jill works with students on developing jazz and blues improvisation ideas. A versatile instrumentalist who plays multiple instruments, she can instruct students on all of the woodwinds and work with others on composition. A long-time alternative fusion artist, Jill brings a unique and sophisticated compositional perspective to her work with students.

Jay Krush, Tuba: A series of workshops can focus on any one of the areas below, or a combination.
1. Where did brass instruments come from and how do they work? Understanding the way brasses have evolved and the basic principles behind their operation will speed students learning process on their instruments. This session will include demonstrations on intriguing brasses of the past, including animal horns, shells, and the serpent, ophicleide (keyed brass) and early tuba, as well as simple home-made instruments which convey the basic principles of brass playing.
2. How does your body work when you play a brass instrument? This program focuses on very simple principles of good brass playing, including breathing, buzzing on the mouthpiece, matching pitches and working with the overtone series.
3. Where do brass instruments play? This program will use both recordings and student playing to focus on all the different types of music that brass instruments can play, to demonstrate to students the musical opportunities that await them if they develop skills on their instruments. Advanced beginners and intermediate students will work on simple chamber music and explore the wide range of brass repertoire.

Chestnut Brass Company: Workshops for instrumental students can focus on several different aspects of brass instruments and music. For example, a workshop could be about where brass instruments came from and how they work, how the body works to play a brass instrument or where brass instruments are played. Each of these is designed to encourage students to develop their skills as well as demonstrate the exciting opportunities available to them when they do.

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