The session will demonstrate how the performance of the music of the Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras can be used to teach swing-style concepts to students of all ages and ability levels. Not only does performing this literature expose your students to the rich history of swing music, but these concepts can then be applied towards all swing-style music. Extensive resources of which literature can be used to teach which concepts as well as targeted listening examples will be provided.
Peter Sampson
- Biographical Information
Mr. Peter Sampson has been the Director of Bands at Whiteland Community High School since 2008. While there he has led the WCHS Band program to consistent Gold and “With Distinction” ratings in Concert and Jazz band festivals as well as sixteen consecutive Indiana State School Music Association All-Music Awards. The Whiteland Jazz Bands have been honored as ISSMA Jazz State Finalists four times, performed at the Indiana MEA State Conference as well as the Indiana State House. In 2014, Whiteland Jazz Band One was selected as a National Finalist in the Essentially Ellington program through Jazz at Lincoln Center earning them the opportunity to perform for Wynton Marsalis in the world-famous Rose Hall in New York City.
Mr. Sampson is a cum laude graduate of Ball State University with a major in Music Education and minor in Voice Performance as well as a Master of Science in Music Technology from Indiana University. Mr. Sampson has been named the 2021 “Outstanding High School Music Teacher” by the Indiana Music Education Association, a national “Distinguished Music Educator” by Yale University, a 2020 Grammy National Music Educator Award Semi-finalist, and a “Graduate of the Last Decade” by Ball State University. Mr. Sampson currently serves as the Vice-President of the Indiana Jazz Educators Association, the President of the Indiana State School Music Association, the IMEA State Jazz Chair, and is a member of the NAfME National Jazz Council. Mr. Sampson resides in Whiteland, Indiana with his wife Julie and their twin 13-year old sons Conner and Luke.