WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Saturday Night Live saxophonist Alex Foster and New York City-based trumpet player Richard Boulger provided a free clinic to Mount Greylock band students.

 

Last week Foster, saxophonist in the SNL house band and Boulger, a North Adams native and recording artist, visited Berkshire County schools to give free clinics sponsored by New Jersey musical instrument manufacturer RS Berkeley.

 

"We are going to show them a few technical things and some exercises that will help them improve," Foster said just the lesson started. "Just stuff they can do if they want to devote some time to practicing that will elevate their level of musicianship that can hopefully open some doors for them." 

 

Boulger said many of the exercises they shared in the clinic are ones that have served both him and Foster well for years. 

 

"These are very specific exercises that I have done my whole life…Many I picked up in my time with Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd and just years of playing," Boulger said. "They simplify these complex ideas to help that freshman in high school who has enormous potential and does not know it yet."

 

After an introduction, Boulger and Foster split the band in two. Foster spent time with the woodwinds and Boulger took the brass section.

 

Band Director Lyndon Moors said he hopes Foster and Boulger can show his students that it is possible to keep playing music after high school. 

 

"It’s easy to listen to recordings, which we do, but to actually hear and see live musicians that are doing all of the things that we just talk about is great," Moors said. "There is a life after high school and people play music because they enjoy it and some people make a career out of it."

 

Boulger noted that Wood Brothers in Pittsfield now carry RS Berkeley instruments and said one of their goals is to make music more assessable to students. He said they do this by offering affordable instruments and sponsoring clinics.

 

"This is the philosophy. They offer the instruments but also offer students education and insights from some great players," Boulger said. "It really is about trying to tap into something within each kid that is in there, and if we can turn that light on we have accomplished something."

 

Foster agreed and if anything, he hopes the clinics inspire. 

 

"I want to pass on a little inspiration but with whatever they are involved in," Foster said. "If they put their minds to it and devote a little bit of their time to it then whatever they try to do is going to get better."

 

Foster and Boulger also gave clinics at Herberg Middle School and Lee High School.