TITLE: Creative Connections, an ensemble approach to student creativity through jazz improvisation.
In music ensemble courses, students are generally engaged in performing and responding to quality music, but what about CREATING? Through jazz improvisation 9 students can “compose while performing.” This project focuses on developing students’ creativity as jazz improvisers by providing them with a connection to the professional world of jazz improvisation. A jazz improvisation expert provides systematic instruction weekly via Skype to the entire jazz band class. Through recordings, self-assessments and surveys, the students track their progress and grow their skills. Deeper learning and higher-order creative thinking is the goal of this project as the student Connect and Create within the world of jazz.