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Instrumental Music

New York has long been known as the capital of jazz, so it is natural that our children want to learn more about it.

Children’s Aid provides opportunities for children to hear and play jazz and other music at several of its locations. These instrumental groups are in their beginning phases, but lack of polish in no way impacts the enthusiasm the children feel for making music.

Harmony in Harlem at Frederick Douglass Center is a youth jazz band designed for students (grades 7 to 12) who play an instrument and have the talent and interest to study and play jazz. The band is dedicated to the performance of music written by the great Harlem composers. Children's Aid collaborates with The Jazz Museum in Harlem for this program.

Students form a jazz band, learn music theory and related skills that enables them to improvise and create their own unique jazz sound. Harmony in Harlem will evolve into a 15-piece big band - performing as a working ensemble while paying tribute to the surrounding Harlem community's rich artistic and musical heritage.

Other bands are beginning at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Schools and C.S. 61/I.S. 190 in the South Bronx.

Show us a kid that doesn't like to bang on a drum! The Drew Percussion Ensemble, made up of 8 to 11 year olds at the Drew Hamilton Learning Center in Harlem, began in 2005. The group explores rhythms and instruments from cultures around the world, and learns the performing techniques of a wide variety of percussion instruments.

Other percussion groups are active at I.S. 98 and C.S. 61/I.S. 190 in the South Bronx.

For more information about instrumental music programs, contact Peter Frost at (212) 533-1675.