Atlanta Quest’s Front Ensemble focuses on developing elite technical proficiency and endurance through a highly detailed and consistent technique program. They begin each season by setting high standards and use a comprehensive packet of exercises covering keyboard and various percussion instruments. These exercises enhance both physical skills and mental focus, aiding music reading and memorization. This rigorous training ensures performers are fully prepared for challenging and creative show music, enabling sustained excellence during long productions. Kevin and Claire Kenney lead this innovative approach, which they will showcase at PASIC 2026.

---

Atlanta Quest has been advancing musical innovation in the WGI Percussion Circuit since the ensemble’s establishment in 2002. An 11-time PIW finalist ensemble, Atlanta Quest is known for asking their membership to perform challenging music at the highest level of technical proficiency. The AQ Front Ensemble has been a leading contributor to this innovation, pushing skill sets within the activity and showcasing elite performance and technical qualities from all members. 

For our PASIC 2026 performance, Front Ensemble Arranger Kevin Kenney and Coordinator Claire Kenney will give an in-depth look into how the season is structured from a technique standpoint. They will give the PASIC audience a glimpse into the process of building an ensemble’s technical abilities along with harboring muscle growth and the mental capabilities that are needed to maintain excellence and endurance during a ten-minute production and beyond.

For continued success from year to year, the AQ Front Ensemble staff establishes the highest technique standards on the very first day of the season. Members and staff both use a highly detail-oriented approach and strive for uniform technique and sound quality. This push for precision from simple to advanced concepts is best executed through an extensive exercise regimen and warmup routine. All of these exercises are combined into a packet that will be shared and demonstrated in the clinic. The packet includes a technique breakdown as well as a variety of exercises that can be molded to fit the skill sets written for the production each season. 

While mostly keyboard-focused, techniques and educational tips for drumset, timpani, auxiliary percussion, bass guitar, and synthesizer players will also be covered. These various examples for all instruments will be a great guiding tool for young players and teachers to develop a program for their own students as well as give veteran teachers ideas of how to enhance or refresh their already- developed technique programs.

All exercises in the AQ packet can be played at a wide variety of tempos, different intervals, and using different chord progressions or scales. Asking members to play through various scales, patterns, and permutations every rehearsal not only advances members’ physical abilities to play the instrument, it also hones their mental abilities and long-term focus. This process also aids in music reading and memorization. As different modes, scale types, or chord progressions are presented in the production music, performers are already comfortable moving around the keyboard in these situations, leading to better note accuracy and quicker internalization of the music. 

With so much emphasis put into advancing technical abilities and the mental load needed to be successful, when it comes time to perform the show music, members are more than prepared for anything written for them. Performers’ abilities should not limit the writer’s creativity when it comes to skill sets, so extensive work is invested into making all techniques consistent and comfortable throughout the season. 

The Atlanta Quest Front Ensemble is extremely excited to make their PASIC Debut, showcasing exercises used throughout the season and musical show excerpts from their 2026 production, IDOL.