EDUCATION PROGRAMS
WE’RE Communicating the essence and cultural significance of jazz while cultivating a new audience.
A priority of PDX Jazz’s mission is to provide free educational outreach to under-served youth in the greater Portland area and surrounding communities, with a focus on Title 1A-funded schools. Our education programs extend across the entire student body, emphasizing an interdisciplinary appreciation of jazz and its African-American roots from a historical, sociological, and cultural perspective.
jazz and it’s connection to visual art
JAZZ IN THE SCHOOLS
Jazz in the Schools is a K-12 program that teaches students about jazz music’s most important contributors, past and present, and its connection to visual art, a creative medium connecting to every student at every skill level. Students discover how the visual art associated with jazz plays a significant role in mirroring and shaping American culture by creating their own original jazz album cover, interpreting the music, its emotion, and its message as visual expression. This interactive learning experience uniquely combines music, visual art, and American history. Student artwork is exhibited annually at the Portland Art Museum.
Student Art Gallery: Selected artwork from our Jazz in the Schools ANNUAL exhibits
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: JAZZ IN THE SCHOOLS PLAYLIST
ONLINE RESOURCES
PDX Jazz desires to be a comprehensive resource in the realm of jazz education. Discover resources for students, educators, and inquiring minds.
THE MUSICAL EVOLUTION OF JAZZ
THE AMERICAN REFRAIN: JAZZ AND MODERN MUSIC
Showcasing the rich musical talents of Portland, PDX Jazz brings ‘live’ jazz to schools across the Portland area. A celebration of jazz, this hour-long performance with narration walks students through the tenets of the genre; building community, storytelling, fighting for social justice, and improvisation. The performance highlights the modern evolution of jazz and how it has shaped the music we listen to today.
a positive tool to affect social equity and civil rights
THE MUSIC AND THE MOVEMENT
Diving into the connection between jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, and the Civil Rights Movement, The Music and The Movement is a curriculum unit built for middle and high school social studies and music classrooms to broaden the understanding of the social importance of jazz. This unit includes lessons on The Civil Rights Movement, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, Mahalia Jackson, John Coltrane, and James Brown.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE
PDX JAZZ SINGERS
PDX Jazz Singers is a jazz choir that is open to all students in grades 6-12. The ensemble strengthens students' ear training, song memorization, music reading, harmonization, and performance skills. The Jazz Singers perform at various PDX Jazz events across greater Portland including the annual festival.
ENROLLMENT
Complete the form below to request a program for your school.