Kennedy After School Jazz

Kennedy Middle School

The Kennedy After School Jazz Program would provide jazz music education to students by hiring a jazz instructor to create an after school jazz band as an extended day program. This project would fund hiring Glen Griffith, a local professional jazz artist, music educator and composer to arrange jazz pieces that the students would study and perform at several concerts. Griffith would also work with the jazz band on occasion, to supplement the instruction of the jazz pieces by the band teacher.

Why is this project important?

Jazz bands provide a fun opportunity for students to be creative through improvisation, expansion of musical knowledge and skills, and exploration of different music styles. Jazz bands have been demonstrated to be an extremely effective motivator, extending many students involvement in the arts. Kennedy Middle School lacks the funding for a Jazz Band. The current band teacher is motivated to provide after-school instruction and support to the jazz band. However, jazz music requires specific expertise, to arrange pieces appropriate for the instrumentation of a middle school. Glen Griffith's specific expertise in jazz instrumentation would provide opportunity for participation by a wider range of student musicians, enabling many more students the opportunity to participate because he could write tunes that include flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, baritones and tubas, which are not traditionally jazz instruments. Glen would also write music appropriate for Kennedy students specific level of playing, ensuring their success. Music reading, (encoding) reinforces reading skills, and performing in music also helps in math skills. Self-esteem, confidence building, personal achievement and school pride are developed through groups like this. The music arranged through this grant would be shared throughout the district and could be used for many years to come. Bringing a Jazz Band to play for the elementary schools could provide an effective recruiting tool for future music programs as well.

Who, and how many, will be served?

Band students in grades 6, 7 and 8 would be able to participate in the program (Up to 150 students). Elementary schools would also benefit from this program, as we would also be performing for the feeder elementary schools in the spring. We also anticipate being able to take the Jazz Band "on tour" to play at retirement and rest homes throughout the community.

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

The success of this program will be measured in several ways. Evaluation of student progress will be done by both the music specialist and Glen Griffith. The Jazz Band will have several performances: two at night concerts, and additional concerts on tour at the elementary schools. Feedback will be requested from the parents and incorporated into the program. The ultimate measure of success of this program will be the proficiency these students show on their instruments.

Another performance measure of the program would be the number of students who continue to play in high school. Parents of student musicians have indicated a high level of support for this program; they hear their students talk enthusiastically about the program, and are eager for their children to have the opportunity to expand their musical experience into the realm of Jazz music. Lastly, the program will conduct a student and parent survey about skill enhancement, self-esteem, and attitude toward the school in general.

Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school?

There are over 150 students involved in the band program at Kennedy Middle School. Establishing a Jazz Band after school will build directly on the band program in many ways. Jazz is a wonderful style of music that regular bands are unable to play because the instrumentation of jazz music usually excludes instruments like flutes, clarinets, baritones, oboes and bassoons. With Glen Griffith arranging pieces for the band, all students can be involved in learning and performing this exciting style of music. Glen's professional jazz experience will help students expand on their listening skills, improvisational skills, technique, and musical knowledge of styles.

How will the funds be spent?

To pay the salary of Glen Griffith to arrange pieces for the band, and to provide periodic instruction to the band.