After a century, jazz music endures, as vibrant, diverse, and relevant as the American culture which nurtured it. Now, you can open up this stimulating world to your students!

Assemblies
In the morning, we host 1 or 2 school-wide assemblies (depending on student body size) featuring woodwind artist Craig Buhler, gifted pianist Randy McMillan and flutist, Chris McMillan. We introduce the songs with engaging anecdotes, setting historic, geographic, and artistic backdrops. We highlight feelings, images, and concepts communicated by the music. Using songs familiar to young audiences, we contrast several styles, illustrate the versatility of our instruments, and demonstrate the diversity of the medium.

Small Groups
After the assembly, Craig meets with up to 5 small groups (25 minutes each) for questions and demonstration. He is especially careful to draw out those students who hesitate to join in. While there is an ample dose of humor, the sessions are designed to stimulate aesthetic awareness and increase students’ confidence in their unique creative potential. Discussions are tailored to class make-up and grade level.

Topics include

• History & style development
• Creative processes in composition
• Physics of sound
• Instrument construction & maintenance
• Developing technique joyfully
• Improvisation & expression
• Overcoming creative disabilities & inertia