"The Kaminsky Method": Developing Balance, Blend, and an Accurate Center of Pitch in the Wind Band
Clinic Synopsis:
The clinic will feature a live concert band with Alex Kaminsky, Director of Bands at Vandercook College of Music, demonstrating techniques he uses to build performance fundamentals including tone quality, intonation, balance, blend and listening skills. Several methods will be explored which include the use of published materials and electronic devices. A handout will be provided outlining each technique demonstrated along with a list of resources used during the clinic and other recommended materials.
Alex Kaminsky
- Biographical Information
Alexander Kaminsky was appointed Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at VanderCook College of Music in 2019 after a highly successful tenure at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Previous to that, Kaminsky led the band programs at Buchholz High School, Lincoln High School, Auburndale High School, and Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School, all of which excelled under his direction. He holds degrees from the University of Florida and Indiana University, is active as an adjudicator, and is in demand as a guest conductor/clinician across the country. Kaminsky’s high school bands performed at the Midwest Clinic (2005, 2009, 2014, and 2018), ABA National Convention (2014), CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2004 and 2014), FMEA State Conference (2014), Music for All National Concert Band Festival (2002 and 2012), and the National Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall (2009 and 2018). In 2018, the Stoneman Douglas Wind Symphony was named a Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors winner as one of only ten 6A bands in the nation. His marching bands consistently placed in the Florida Marching Band State Championship Finals, winning several FMBC State Championships (including 4 of his last 6 years as a high school band director), as well as being named a finalist band at BOA regional competitions.
Brian Covey - Biographical Information
Brian Covey is the Visual and Performing Arts Chairman, in addition to serving as Director of Bands at Lockport Township High School. Mr. Covey was appointed Director in 2003 after serving two years as Associate Director of Bands. While maintaining the Department, he conducts the Wind Symphony and one of two Freshman concert ensembles in addition to overseeing the athletic performance ensembles. Prior to joining Lockport High School, Mr. Covey attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned his Bachelors of Music Education degree, a Masters of Music Education degree at VanderCook College of Music, and an additional Masters in Educational Administration from The University of St. Francis. Under his direction, the concert ensembles at Lockport Township High School have performed at numerous competitions and festivals throughout the state and country, consistently receiving Superior ratings. The Wind Symphony has become a nationally respected ensemble with performance highlights including the Illinois Superstate Festival at the University of Illinois (every year since 2004), the National Association for Music Education National Conference, the Illinois Music Educators Association State Conference, five performances at The Music for All National Concert Band Festival, The World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles International Conference, recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Flag of Honor, and three performances at The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Mr. Covey has served as an adjudicator for many regional and Illinois High School Association Solo and Ensemble Contests, Ensemble Adjudicator for both the Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Grade School Music Association, and clinician to area schools in Illinois, Iowa, and Virginia. He holds over two dozen Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association where he serves as a High School Representative on the Board of Directors, been awarded the “Chicagoland Educator of the Year” from Quinlan and Fabish Music, the “Mildred Jackson Lockport Township High School Teacher of the Year Award”, and was highlighted in School Band and Orchestra Magazine. He is a member of the prestigious American Bandmaster's Association, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster's Fraternity, American School Band Directors Association, and is the Illinois Music Education Association’s Band Division Immediate Past President.
Chris Sharp - Biographical Information
Chris Sharp, Ph.D. is a professional musician, composer, arranger and music educator. Dr. Sharp has taught bands at every level from 4th grade up through professional musicians. He has taught at several public schools and colleges throughout the state of Florida. Currently he serves as an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. An experienced adjudicator, Dr. Sharp has judged for several organizations including The Florida Bandmasters’ Association, The Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association, The Virginia Marching Band Coalition, Bands of America and Drum Corps International. He has served on numerous occasions as the conductor/clinician for honor bands throughout the U.S. Dr. Sharp has extensive experience as a professional trombonist, having served for 11 years as a full-time bandleader and sideman at Walt Disney World. He still performs regularly with University of Lynchburg faculty brass quintet, the Lynchburg Community Big Band and the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra Dr. Sharp is also active as a composer and arranger of music for the scholastic market. He currently has over 200 published works in the catalogs of Alfred Music Publishing, The FJH Music Company, Inc., Jalen/Matrix Publications and several others. His compositions and arrangements have been performed numerous times at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and he is a ten-time winner of the ASCAPlus Award.
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