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MUSIC IS EVERYTHING!

The Calais School Band under the direction of Mr. Robert Rucker, recently visited the Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC). The students were special guests and had the opportunity to directly discuss “how music works” with Wynton Marsalis and his band.
Mr. Marsalis, who along with his father and brothers comprise New Orleans venerable “first family of Jazz”, took our students on a guided tour of JALC and answered questions as they moved from room to room. One special moment occurred when Mr. Marsalis told them about his younger brother who is autistic. He went on to explain that during the years his brother was growing up, no one knew the meaning of Autism but music played a vital role in his brother’s life. In addition to the tour, students had the unique opportunity to be a part of a rehearsal with the band. Under the leadership and direction of Mr. Marsalis, The Jazz is comprised of fifteen of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today. JALC endorses a unique vision for the continued advancement of the art of jazz by generating a year round schedule of education and performance for audiences of all ages. Here at the Calais School, music education is a vital component of the instructional curriculum. It is the school’s mission that all students receive the best education possible, regardless of their learning capability.

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A DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION

In my view, a democratic education means the freedom to explore, create and obtain knowledge through life’s experiences within the school and community. In a democratic school, students experience meaningful participation in a learning environment not solely governed by adults. In the article, What is Democratic Education?, Ron Miller furthers this point, “When individuals are bound by limitations, expectations or rules they had no part in establishing, they cannot be said to live in a democratic environment; therefore they do not teach democracy.”

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EDUCATION REFORM

We sit in an educational system that hears only the ringing of a cash register.Tweaked to assure that our precious children receive the least of the best. Do we only care about our immediate family or our own lively-hood? Somethings in life have to remain sacred to our humanity, our conscious! This is not rocket science! Provide our children with the resources they need to be successful.

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Thelonious Monk

I have taught my students “Thelonious“. With the main motif centered around Bb flat, I had my students sing the melody and the bass-line before we played the arrangement. They come in class singing…dat da-da dah dot, dah da dot!

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JAZZ WORKSHOPS

Every year or so, I bring my students to meet the man who turned my life in a positive direction, Wynton Marsalis. Although he is not the only role model I’ve have throughout my musical journey, but he is responsible for bringing jazz to the forefront during the late 80′s and early 90′s by providing interactive instructional jazz workshops for students.. At this time, Wynton was touring colleges and universities to revitalize a struggling art-form;jazz.  I found my niche!

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