Jazz in the Hubs
Mohawk College Student Big Band to perform free concerts reaching over one thousand elementary school children in six Hamilton neighborhood hubs during May, 2009. (See below for participating schools)
Funded by the Hamilton Community Foundation, JAZZ IN THE HUBS! is part of a new Mohawk College service learning initiative to improve the quality of life within key neighbourhood hubs.
During the first two weeks of May, 2009, the Mohawk College student big- band, led by Rob Sommerville, plans to perform free, fun-filled, narrated concerts at six downtown elementary schools which will offer young children an engaging introduction to Jazz music. The events will be presented in association with Mohawk College, the Hamilton Music Collective, (HMC), and the Community Planning Teams of the hubs involved.
‘Meet the Instrument' sessions will immediately follow the narrated concerts so that students in the hubs will have the opportunity to learn about and try a variety of instruments under the guidance of Mohawk College music students. Long & McQuade music store has kindly agreed to provide the instruments for this beneficial event.
And the benefit is mutual --- while introducing music skills to young students in the hubs, Mohawk College music students will, in turn, benefit from this outreach project by interacting with the "real world" via their musical and improvisational abilities. The ‘Meet the Instrument' program will foster improvement in the Mohawk College students' professional performance and teaching skills while enhancing the creative development of their community and their own individual careers.
HMC Chairperson, Astrid Hepner, states: "We are very excited to partner with Mohawk College on this wonderful project. This initiative fits perfectly into HMC's mandate, which is to give young children the opportunity to experience live music and to expose them to the concept of improvisation, while at the same time introducing them to the instruments involved."
Participating Elementary Schools:
- Monday, May 4th, Hess St. School
In association with the Jamesville Community Planning Team - Thursday May 7th, Holy Name of Jesus School
In association with the Crown Point Community Planning Team - Friday May 8th, Roxborough Park School
In association with the McQuesten Community Planning Team - Monday May 11th, Parkdale School
In association with the McQuesten Community Planning Team - Thursday May 14th, Lake Ave. School
In association with the Riverdale Community Planning Team
