Jazz Education Programs

The Outpost Jazz Education Program is the centerpiece of Outpost’s Educational offerings. Founded in the Spring of 1996, with seed money provided by a concert the previous year by “Arlen Asher & Friends,” the program now takes place year-round with over 30 weeks of classes, three instructors, a Jazz Education Coordinator (David Parlato), and yearly scholarships offered to worthy students. In the past nine years, more than 1500 students have moved through the program.

Jazz Improvisation Classes for Youth are open to all young musicians (instrumentalists & vocalists) elementary through high school levels who want to have fun learning more about improvising and playing jazz in a small ensemble. Jazz Improvisation Classes for Adults are for aspiring musicians, retired or rusty musicians, closet jazz fanatics or for those who want to learn more about jazz. Adult classes are so popular that we are able offer three different sections.

All classes are taught by the Outpost team comprising well-known jazz bassist, and Outpost jazz education coordinator, David Parlato; drummer, Sharon Eldridge; and saxophonist, Kanoa Kaluhiwa. We aim to build positive attitudes, trust, teamwork, cooperation, confidence, compassion, and a sense of humor—everything you could ever want from music. Both Youth and Adults will perform a recital for family and friends at the end of their second session. It is expected that students will have their own instruments to bring to class. Outpost will provide a piano, a drumset, and guitar & bass amplifiers.

SUMMER 2008 JAZZ CLASS SCHEDULE

Tuesday & Wednesday Afternoons
June 10-July 30
Jazz Improvisation Classes for Youth

Taught by Kanoa Kaluhiwa & Sharon Eldridge
Ages: Up to (and including) High School Senior
Class Limit: 10 (minimum of 5 is required)

The two afternoon Jazz Improvisation classes taught by Sharon Eldridge and Kanoa Kaluhiwa focus on the rudiments of music and improvisation including rhythmic training, scale work, form in music, and musical improvisation. Students are invited to express themselves freely on their respective instruments as well as on percussion instruments. The emphasis is on musical expression as an individual in a group setting. Each teacher has a slightly different approach and our goal is to place together, students of similar levels as well as to form a balanced ensemble in terms of instrumentation. Advanced Level classes also taught this summer by Kanoa Kaluhiwa focus more specifically on the jazz repertoire, covering music theory, ear training, solo development, song forms, and various rhythm section approaches. ALL classes aim to build positive attitudes, trust, teamwork, cooperation, confidence, compassion, and a sense of humor—skills and values which will serve participants well beyond the workshop and throughout their entire educations and lives. Fun will be had by all!

Participants must bring their own instruments to class (piano, drums and amps will be provided). Come a few minutes early to the first class to register.

Tuesdays Evenings
June 10-July 1
Jazz Improvisation Classes for Adults

Taught by David Parlato

Taught by David Parlato, the Jazz Improvisation Classes for Adults focus specifically on jazz and cover music theory, ear training, solo development, song forms and various rhythm section approaches. All classes aim to build positive attitudes, trust, teamwork cooperation, confidence, compassion and a sense of humor. While a certain proficiency on instruments is expected, this class is for aspiring musicians, retired or rusty musicians, closet jazz fanatics, those who want to learn more about jazz—in short, if you want to be there, we want you and a good time will be had by all. The final class will feature a recital by the students.

Participants must bring their own instruments to class (piano, drums and amps will be provided).

OTHER CLASS OFFERINGS

African Drumming for Kids & Families

There will be no African Drumming Class this summer. Stay tuned for another class offering in the fal

Youth Performance Opportunities

Outpost offers opportunities for the youth of the community to perform on the Outpost stage:

Roust the House; Roust the JAZZ House; and Roust the FOLK House Teen Performance Nights
Roust the House Teen Performance Nights continue on a near-monthly basis, year-round and include music sets from selected local teen bands of all variety, poetry readings, dance performances, and any other performances local teens are ready to share. This is a terrific opportunity for young performers to play out to supportive Outpost audiences and for Outpost enthusiasts to hear what newer talents are creating. Interested bands and performers should contact us at 268-0044 for information and should submit a demo and short band write-up/bio for consideration.

Kids Variety Shows

Kids Variety Shows are an Outpost tradition. They’re great and they’re for and by kids of all ages and levels. Dance, music comedy, theater. You name it! A wonderful relaxed performance environment. This show will feature among other things a performance by the Outpost Kids Flamenco class. Call us at 268-0044 to reserve a performance slot for a student or child of yours. Or better yet, have them call!! Warning this show is KG-Rated. Adults must be accompanied by a child.

Kids Variety Shows will be offered once again in the fall.

Outpost Scholarship Programs

Thanks to the generosity of Keith Gilbert, Douglas Mulligan and other individuals in the community, many kids are able to attend our programs at little or no cost. In addition each student in the classes is given a gift certificate to be used towards the price of admission at an Outpost concert of their choice. Last but not least, we now award TWO annual scholarships totaling $1,500 (one of which is given In Tribute to David Parlato, the other being the Keith Gilbert Scholarship) to deserving students — some of whom are leaving the Outpost Educational Program and moving on to their next exciting stage in life and learning. These awards will be made each year in August.

Kids Field Trips to the Outpost Performance Space

Thanks to a generous grant from the City of Albuquerque Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, during the school year, Outpost continues to offer FIELD TRIPS FOR YOUTH to the OUTPOST PERFORMANCE SPACE. These programs include performances of everything from puppetry to Indonesian Gamelan, to African music, Flamenco and beyond— what fun! And it’s FREE! We thank all of our funders who make it possible.

Stay tuned for our Field Trip offerings.