Charleston Jazz Orchestra to perform free concerts for 800 elementary and middle school students. Activities include ribbon cutting ceremony for the new SWING! exhibit at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
CHARLESTON, SC – November 11, 2016 – Jazz Artists of Charleston is teaming with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry to launch the inaugural “Jazz Day for Kids” on November 15, 2016. The two non-profit organizations will host 300 elementary and 500 middle school students from Charleston’s Title One and Charter schools at the Charleston Music Hall for a jazz-filled day that includes programming for each grade level:
Elementary Students:
• Charleston Jazz Orchestra Concert – A big band show featuring jazz music from such classic children’s movies and TV shows as Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, and Mister Rogers.
• Time with Mayor Tecklenburg – A talk about the history of jazz in Charleston and the joy of studying and performing music.
• Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry Tour – Featuring the launch of the new SWING! exhibit along with an instrument petting zoo and other music-oriented activities.
Middle School Students:
• Charleston Jazz Orchestra Concert – A big band show featuring jazz music from such popular movies and TV shows as Rocky, Pink Panther, Wizard of Oz, the Simpsons and others.
• College of Charleston Presentation – highlighting careers in Arts Management.
• Charleston Southern University Presentation – showcasing careers in the Performing Arts.
• Time with Mayor Tecklenburg – A talk about the history of jazz in Charleston and the joy of studying and performing music.
• Lunch with the CJO – bringing musicians and students together to discuss jazz.
“This day will be a ‘jazz version’ of the wonderful symphony field trip many of us took when we were kids,” said Mary Beth Natarajan, Executive Director at Jazz Artists of Charleston. “This is a great way to get young people interested in the arts – and it may even spark a few careers in jazz!”
“Our new Swing! exhibit is an interactive space that uses music, movement, manipulatives and mentoring experiences to introduce children and their families to the rhythms, history, and cultural influence of jazz, through guided play and materials exploration,” said Nichole Myles, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. “Swing! focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education experiences which correlate to enhanced brain development and life-long executive functioning, including the ability to think both creatively and critically, problem solve, and collaborate.” The Children’s Museum also developed a jazz-oriented curriculum that teachers can use to continue the education experience when they return to the classroom.
“Jazz Day for Kids” is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors:
Gold Sponsors: Mary and Mason Holland
Silver Sponsor: Ronald D. McCray
Bronze Sponsor: Julia Fernandez
Learn more at www.jazzday4kids.com.
About Jazz Artists Of Charleston: Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC), is a South Carolina-based nonprofit organization incorporated to foster a professional environment for jazz musicians, artists, students and enthusiasts in the Charleston area. Its mission is to develop, promote, and support a vibrant and creative jazz culture through concerts, special outreach events, and educational programs. JAC endeavors to preserve and bolster Charleston’s rich musical history and legacy as it explores the various realms of jazz in terms of how it is created as well as its stylistic expressions.
About Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry: The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission to engage young children’s potential by inviting families of all backgrounds to explore environments and experiences that spark imagination and stimulate curiosity through the power of play. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $12 per person, $10 for South Carolina residents and free for Members and children less than twelve months of age. For more information, please visit our website at www.ExploreCML.org.
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