Program: Middle/High Schools
Our program for Middle and High School students is tailored to meet the needs of music students at a stage to express themselves creatively, collaborate with others, and deepen artistic exploration.
The program is divided into two to three parts, with an interactive assembly, instrument-specific breakout sections, and if applicable, culminating with the full ensemble playing a song applying the skills developed in the workshops.
We consult with each school’s music teachers to customize each program to meet the specific needs of their students and curriculum. Whether the goal is to increase student engagement, musical proficiency, or foster teamwork and creative confidence, our program adapts to meet students where they are.
Assembly Program Components:
Live Jazz Performance
Students enter to a live performance by The Brighton Beat to provide musical context and set the tone of the program.
Jazz History & Cultural Origins
An overview of jazz history, from its roots in churches and New Orleans to its evolution into modern styles, demonstrated with musical examples and storytelling.
Musical Influences & Genre Connections
Demonstrations showing how jazz influences and connects to funk, rock, Latin music, and other genres, helping students recognize jazz elements in familiar styles.
How a Song Is Built
A breakdown of how a song is created, with band members layering rhythm, harmony, and melody to show how individual parts work together.
Student Interaction & Creative Choice
Students suggest genres or musical ideas, which the band uses to transform the same song in different styles.
Improvisation Fundamentals
Demonstrations of improvisation, including starting with a single note, expanding to scales, and developing expressive solos.
Active Listening & Communication
Exploration of how musicians communicate through listening, body language, and musical cues to support each other during solos and ensemble playing. This aspect is then expanded to address how those same skills can be used both in and out of school.Careers & Real-World Pathways
Band members share their educational backgrounds and professional experiences, connecting music study to real-world careers in music.
Breakout Session Components:
Each of these are examples of what can be covered in each breakout session, based upon the needs of each school’s students.
Instrument-Specific Technique
Students work on techniques tailored to their instrument, such as swing feel or articulation.Foundations of Improvisation
Band members introduce the building blocks of improvisation, including scales, rhythm, and phrasing.Learning a Song
All groups learn the same song, focusing on jazz-specific articulation and rhythmic feel. The intent is to bring the ensemble back together to perform the song using the techniques covered in the groups.Soloing & Supporting the Ensemble
Students practice taking solos while learning how to support others through active listening and dynamics.Ensemble Communication
Emphasis is placed on nonverbal communication: eye contact, body language, and musical cues to strengthen group cohesion.