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Drury Grad Trumpeter & 'SNL' Saxophonist Return to Berkshires
By Jack Guerino, iBerkshires Staff
11:47AM / Sunday, March 06, 2016
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Trumpeter Richard Boulger of North Adams and 'Saturday Night Live' saxophonist Alex Foster will return to the Berkshires and provide free instrumental band clinics in Pittsfield Schools.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshires trumpeter Richard Boulger and "Saturday Night Live" saxophonist Alex Foster will return to the Berkshires to provide free instrumental band clinics in Pittsfield schools.

This week Foster, musical director of the Mingus Big Band, and saxophonist in the "SNL" house band will join Boulger, a North Adams native, recording artist, and protegé of the late Freddie Hubbard and Donald Byrd, will make their way from New York City to run another series of free clinics.

Stearns Elementary, Reid and Herberg middle schools, and Pittsfield and Taconic high schools band students, as well as those from Wahconah Regional in Dalton, will be working with the clinicians.

"Our students are very excited for Richard Boulger's and Alex Foster's return," said Ronald Lively, longtime band director at PHS. "They know how much these clinics will help them develop as instrumentalists, and work on the skills of improvising, or, as Boulger describes, 'painting with sound.' "

The duo teamed up last year and provided similar clinics in music programs throughout Berkshire County. This round the clinicians will again offer tips to help improve students' instrumental technique, practice tips, along with tips on how to become better jazz improvisers.

Musical instrument manufacturer RS Berkeley Music sponsors these clinics. RS Berkeley's goal is to provide young students with instruments and improve music programs.

Also, RS Berkeley instruments will now be available for rental or purchase from Wood Bros. Music in the Allendale Shopping Center in Pittsfield.

PHS jazz band students have been test driving the RS Berkeley line of instruments by playing and reviewing them. Boulger said Lively was instrumental in spearheading the possibility of a local option for parents and students to rent instruments.

The clinics take place March 9 and March 10.

There will also be a jam session Wednesday, March 9, at the Rainbow Restaurant at 7:30 p.m. Foster and Boulger will sit in with Fran Tokarz's Gruppo Mondo.

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