By understanding and working on basic sound fundamentals daily, students can develop skills that will improve the balance, blend, intonation and clarity of your ensembles. Understanding the difference between “warming up” and “teaching fundamentals” can transform the way your groups sound. The fundamentals of posture, breathing, tone quality, and releases will be discussed, including ways to practically use these fundamentals in teaching ensemble skills and learning performance literature.
Chris Grifa
- Biographical Information
Chris Grifa is the Director of Bands at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, Indiana. Mr. Grifa received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Old Dominion University located in Norfolk, VA. While at ODU, Mr. Grifa was a member of the Virginia Wind Symphony under the direction of Mr. Dennis Zeisler which performed at the Midwest Clinic in 2004. The Creekside Wind Symphony was honored to perform at the 2013 Midwest Clinic as well as served as the rehearsal lab band for Ms. Linda Gammon. The Wind Symphony also performed at the 2013 (January) Indiana Music Education Association Conference. Mr. Grifa’s bands have consistently earned Superior ratings in Indiana as well as Best in Class awards in both Illinois and Ohio. Mr. Grifa has served as a clinician/adjudicator for both concert and marching bands around the country including presenting a rehearsal lab at the 2014 Indiana Music Education Association Conference. He is working on his first article for “The Instrumentalist.”