Band and Guard Clinics

1st Place Designs offers comprehensive workshops for all sections of your band.  What makes these exceptional values is that our clinicians strive to improve your staff and their methods as well as your performers individual and ensemble techniques.  These sessions are customized for your program.  We do not arrive with a generic, preplanned routine of skill builders.  An exhaustive survey of your groups experience, training, show selection, rehearsal time, and competitive goals allow our consultants to arrive with in-depth lesson plans to maximize every minute of our time with your staff and students. That is our guarantee. We offer a number of specific clinicians to solve any area your group wants to improve.

Show Consultation.  Stuck on a great theme for your program?  Not sure if your design team is headed down a path that will lead to a successful program?  We can set you up with some of the most successful ‘idea’ people in the business.  These are designers with a proven track record in drum corps, marching band, and winter guard activities.  This service could be just a phone call, a conference call with your entire design team, or a weekend visit from one of our ‘idea facilitators’.  This includes activities for your design team that will steer them through fun and effective activities that get the creative juices flowing. Whatever your needs, we’re here to help – even if we are not hired to produce the show!!

Technique Sessions. One or more of our clinicians can attend your spring rehearsals, Band Camp, or a weekend camp.   Wind workshops focus on technique builders, developing warm ups specifically for this seasons show, tuning exercises, embouchure development, and on-the-move musicality. 

Percussion clinicians are available for both battery and front ensemble.  They can develop technique, teach parts, and offer expert analysis for your percussion staff and students. 

Our Drill technicians offer many technique builders - from beginner specific to advanced ‘flex drill’ techniques -that address section specific movement needs. They can teach drill, fix ensemble problems, offer specific expertise for percussion movement challenges, and provide color guard dance-based movement exercises.

The Color Guard staff offers instruction on all equipment as well as dance. They can clean your program, write routines to your music, and teach students from beginner to advanced.  They also work with your guard staff to develop long term strategies and methods that will allow your guard to continue to develop long after we’re gone.

Effect Clinics.  A unique offering of 1st Place Designs.  These sessions can be booked midway through the season or in preparation for your finals performance.  Bring in clinicians who are ensemble technicians, designers, and judges to maximize impacts, improve musicianship, fix ensemble balance and timing problems, and offer tips on the coordination of all elements. Learn how and what to ‘water’ to improve performance scores without diminishing overall effect or the perceived content of your program.