From the bride: "The music was wonderful! We could not have asked for a better band. Our guests were really impressed; the Uptown Society Orchestra really made our reception special."
Clinics and Presentations
The Rick Holland Evan Dobbins Little Big Band in conjunction with the Uptown Society Orchestra, presents clinic and concert presentations locally in WNY, as well as throughout the United States.
"Rick, amazing stuff. You have a great thing going...keep up the good work. The community is better for it." Joe Pompilli, Kendall High School
"Rick brought his quintet to our "An Evening of Jazz" and put on a great show! What incredible musicianship and professionalism. Thank you so much Rick to and your guys for providing great entertainment for the people of Kendall. I look forward to working with you again." Joe Pompilli, Kendall High School
"I had the opportunity to bring in Rick Holland and Bill Dobbins to serve as guest clinicians for my middle school jazz ensemble. The experience was absolutely stellar! Rick and Bill offered practical tips and ideas to both my jazz ensemble kids and myself that will take our music to the next level. The kids enjoyed working with such high caliber musicians. Rick’s band then joined us for a concert that evening and dazzled the audience with a high energy performance featuring some of the best professional jazz musicians the area has to offer!” Mr. Brian Wilkins, Honeoye Middle School Bands/4-12 Brass and Percussion, Honeoye, NY
"I have received many compliments from school principals, teachers and students a lilke on the balance of your program and how the students enjoyed the musical performance. As you could tell by the applause and the respectful attitude of your audience of 1400 members, the quality of your performance was professional and highly entertaining. It proves when you put superior performers in front of an audience, fine behavior and educational goals are met and rewarded! Thanks again on a fine concert performance."
-- Richard Hintz, Fine Arts Consultant, Kalamazoo Public Schools
"I was very impressed with Rick Holland''s performance in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. The group played great selections from different aspects of Jazz History. There was the perfect balance between lecture and performance. I thought the concert was great and thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank-you for the wonderful educational opportunity for the students in Kalamazoo."
-- Sheri Phelps, Milwood El./Washington Writer''s Academy, Kalamazoo, Michigan
"I believe our students’ interaction with The Rick Holland''s Band was a very positive one which will influence our students to take a more personal view in their music making. -Jim Barry, Okemos High School, Okemos, Mi
We speak and play to a variety of topics related to Jazz and Swing Music.
Some of our topics include:
What is Jazz? An hour presentation defining the roles of the big band, defining jazz terms using ‘live’ demonstrations and explaining the basics of Jazz improvisation.
II. The Swing Era. Playing a 45-minute set of Classic Swing tunes, and pointing out some of important innovators of the music. Swing Dancers can also be involved with this presentation.
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III. LBB’s participation with local HS and College Big Bands. Here Evan and Rick bring the band in to share a concert with local schools. We also participate in rehearsals and share our expertise with younger musicians.
IV. The LBB with Nancy Kelly or Nancy Donnelly. This concert-clinic presentation concentrates more on the band’s role performing with a vocalist. We also encourage younger vocalists to participate and work with members of our band. We like to end the night with a concert with one of the Nancy’s and the repertoire they have had arranged with the band.
V. Black History Presentation. This clinic concentrates on the music of Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and others and their special contributions to the Jazz idiom!
VI. The LBB and the Music of Bill Dobbins. This clinic and/or concert features the arrangements and compositions of one of The Eastman School of Music''s legendary faculty and performer''''''''s, Bill Dobbins with the Little Big Band.
Call Holland Music or contact us through this site for more information on any of our concert and clinical presentations!