Free Music Classes for NOLA Students
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's signature education program, the Heritage School of Music, is accepting applications for Fall 2023.
Also known as the Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music, the program, which was started in 1990, provides free music instructions to hundreds of students. It takes place at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on 1225 N. Rampart St., which has a 200-seat auditorium, seven state-of-the-art classrooms, and a recording studio.
The main program offers classes for intermediate and advanced students, as well as a special HSM Beginners program for kids who never studied music before.
Here are the different levels and classes that are offered.
Beginner
Classes on Mondays or Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.
·
One hour of Instrumental Studio, which
focuses on instrumental techniques like note location, tone production, and
ergonomically correct posture.
*Studio classes offered for Guitar, Drums,
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola, Double Bass, and
Electric Bass.
·
One hour of Music Fundamentals, which
teaches the basics of sight reading, elementary ear training, and pitch/rhythm
identification.
Intermediate
Classes on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m.
·
One hour of Instrumental or Voice Studio.
·
One hour of either Musicianship, Rhythm
Sectional, or Horn Sectional.
* Musicianship teaches sight reading, ear
training, and pitch/rhythm notation, chord notation, and form analysis for all
instruments.
* Rhythm Sectional incorporates ensemble
playing and teaches chord notation, form analysis, form internalization, and
intro to concepts in improvisation; specifically for drums, guitar, piano, and
bass.
* Horn Sectional focuses on section playing with emphasis on group articulation, dynamics, and intonation; for all wind instruments.
Advanced
Classes on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; option to
attend the Thursday classes
·
One hour of Music Theory, which covers
anything from the basic elements of ear training and music notation to advanced
harmony and composition.
·
One hour of Instrumental Studio.
·
Either one hour of Combo or Choir.
* Combo, with levels 1-5, teaches a
spectrum of genres like traditional New Orleans, Contemporary New Orleans
Composers, Afro-Caribbean, and 20th Century American Songbook.
* Choir teaches students a capella versions
of songs from the American Songbook and more. Singers perform with combos and
select students can be given the opportunity to perform solo pieces with
combos.
In addition, the program also puts on student performances for both the Heritage School of Music and the HSM Beginners program.
Any student who is interested in taking part in the Heritage School of Music must fill out or have a parent/guardian fill out an audition request form on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's website. The minimum age for enrollment is 8 years old.
Visit the foundation's website for more information about
the Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music.
