Educational Outreach Update
While you know the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra is home to incredible musicians, you may not be aware that members of the CJO are also master educators, sharing their vast musical knowledge with students across the region. With all this knowledge within our ranks, we've been able to launch and evolve Educational Outreach activities over the past 15 years.
Off the stage, we proudly offer innovative educational programs, inspiring a new generation of musicians and jazz lovers. Our School Residency Program, in partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, has grown into a year-long program, uniquely focused on middle school aged instrumentalists. Unlike other, after-school, off-site programs, we meet with students at their own schools and during the regular school day, complementing the core music curriculum. Our Instrument Donation Program puts instruments into the hands of students and music programs in need, and our other educational offerings, including sponsored guest artists and clinicians, free music charts, free tickets, Side by Side concerts, and master classes, provide enriching experiences to a new generation of jazz cats.
Why do we do this? Why should jazz be taught in schools?
Research in music education demonstrates the importance of musical instruction for students’ scholastic and emotional growth and success. With all of our programs, our goal is to interact with students, increasing long-term involvement in, and appreciation of, music, which can positively influence many other aspects of a student’s life.
We also know first hand from running the CMSD program the impact that this has had upon students as people, far beyond what they gain musically. In a typical instructional session, music participants learn team building, empathy, and discipline. We’ve also learned that for many of the students that the CJO works with, these sessions are a unique opportunity for them to interact with an adult one-to-one during the school day in a positive, trusting space, fostering their individual voices, interest and creativity. For these and many other reasons, this program is so very important and impactful to these children.
The mission of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra is to increase awareness and appreciation of jazz by engaging the community with original music, exceptional performances, and inspirational educational programming. Our growing School Residency program in Cleveland Metropolitan School District middle schools is inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians.