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Jazz Goes to School brings a trio of professional musician and educators into 14 local schools to teach jazz and American History, and to inspire young people to embrace America's own art form, whether as spectator or musician
VAIL, Colorado — Jazz Goes to School, the Vail Jazz Foundation's music education program for fourth and fifth graders, returns to Eagle County schools from Monday through April 1. This session brings a trio of professional musician and educators into 14 local schools to teach jazz and American History, and to inspire young people to embrace America's own art form, whether as spectator or musician.
“This lesson brings it all together, and the kids really dig it,” said program director Tony Gulizia. “When the kids get to use their own hands to play an instrument, the beauty of the music really comes alive for them. They understand how it works and why improvisation is at the heart of all jazz.”
This third session of the four-part program introduces the blues scale and other techniques used in improvisation. Students are taught the notes of blues scale and concepts like dissonance. With this foundation, the older students get a chance to try their hand at creating jazz by writing their own 12-bar blues compositions. The final concert includes a selection of these blues compositions, which are presented in medley to the delight of composers and audience alike.
“Most kids would never be exposed to jazz, much less understand its development and relevance to American history, without this program”, said Dawn Vallejos, music teacher at St. Clare of Assisi school in Edwards, which participates in the program.
The program also provides music teachers with a comprehensive curriculum, including lesson plans and follow up activities that complement the Jazz Goes to School sessions.
Jazz Goes to School, which is in its 12th year, supports and promotes the jazz art form with a focus on educating young musicians and young audiences. Gulizia (keyboard and vocals), directs the Jazz Goes to School program for the Vail Jazz Foundation. The rhythm section is completed by Gulizia's brother, Joey, on drums and Andy Hall on bass.
Jazz Goes to School is presented by the Vail Jazz Foundation to Eagle County fourth and fifth graders, including all public schools plus the Eagle County Charter Academy, Vail Mountain School, The Vail Academy, Stone Creek Elementary School and St. Clare of Assisi. Jazz Goes to School reaches over 1,000 students each year, and has exposed over 10,000 school students to this uniquely American art form.
“This lesson brings it all together, and the kids really dig it,” said program director Tony Gulizia. “When the kids get to use their own hands to play an instrument, the beauty of the music really comes alive for them. They understand how it works and why improvisation is at the heart of all jazz.”
This third session of the four-part program introduces the blues scale and other techniques used in improvisation. Students are taught the notes of blues scale and concepts like dissonance. With this foundation, the older students get a chance to try their hand at creating jazz by writing their own 12-bar blues compositions. The final concert includes a selection of these blues compositions, which are presented in medley to the delight of composers and audience alike.
“Most kids would never be exposed to jazz, much less understand its development and relevance to American history, without this program”, said Dawn Vallejos, music teacher at St. Clare of Assisi school in Edwards, which participates in the program.
The program also provides music teachers with a comprehensive curriculum, including lesson plans and follow up activities that complement the Jazz Goes to School sessions.
Jazz Goes to School, which is in its 12th year, supports and promotes the jazz art form with a focus on educating young musicians and young audiences. Gulizia (keyboard and vocals), directs the Jazz Goes to School program for the Vail Jazz Foundation. The rhythm section is completed by Gulizia's brother, Joey, on drums and Andy Hall on bass.
Jazz Goes to School is presented by the Vail Jazz Foundation to Eagle County fourth and fifth graders, including all public schools plus the Eagle County Charter Academy, Vail Mountain School, The Vail Academy, Stone Creek Elementary School and St. Clare of Assisi. Jazz Goes to School reaches over 1,000 students each year, and has exposed over 10,000 school students to this uniquely American art form.
