Fern Hill School partners with U of T Jazz
In an innovative and effective program to bring jazz to the elementary level, U of T Jazz has partnered with Fern Hill School in Oakville, Ontario. The program was spearheaded by Fern Hill’s musical director (and U of T DMA Candidate) Chris Cigolea and the school’s directors and co-founders, Wendy Derrick and Joanne McLean. Accompanied by faculty member Chase Sanborn, U of T Jazz students visit Fern Hill on multiple occasions throughout the year to work with the students. In addition, Fern Hill students come to the university to watch a big band rehearsal and take a tour of the music building and campus. At the end of the year a joint concert is presented to the delight of the audience.
During visits to Fern Hill, U of T Jazz students provide instrumental coaching to each grade level. Then, we assemble in the band room and play through the pieces that the students are working on. Typically, the U of T students play the piece first, then the students join in with them. This is the most effective music teaching situation–sitting alongside more advanced players allows students to hear and feel the way their instrument is supposed to sound. The impact is immediate and the experience is one that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
For the U of T students, this is a valuable teaching opportunity as they learn how to connect with young students. They are often surprised to discover how much difference there is between two adjacent grades–things change quickly at this age. As with all teaching, knowing how to deliver the information to the target audience is as important as the information itself.
The pictures say it all. Smiling faces abound as heads fill with music and inspiration!
