In the Community
SFJAZZ Education brings world-class jazz artists out of the concert hall and into the community, connecting youth and adults, students and professionals, musicians and non-musicians, and artists and audiences of all ages with a diverse array of interactive workshops. We also offer hands-on training in jazz performance for middle and high school students as well as professional training to music educators, supporting jazz instruction in public and independent schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our outreach efforts include partnerships with diverse educational and artistic organizations, fostering the spirit of collaboration while broadening the reach of jazz education, performance and creation to underserved communities.
The core components of our community outreach include:
Meet the Masters
Since 1984, SFJAZZ has reached out to youth and adult audiences with in-school performances and workshops in alternative, intimate and informal settings. Twenty years later, Meet the Masters expanded with the founding of the SFJAZZ resident all-star ensemble, the SFJAZZ Collective, who lead an array of education and outreach programs during their annual San Francisco residency each spring. New for Season 1 in the SFJAZZ Center is the addition of our Resident Artistic Director (RAD) program, where acclaimed artists not only curate dynamic performances in our concert space, they also intersect with several of our educational programs. From Pre-Concert Talks and Master Classes to coaching our High School All-Stars, visiting performing artists also take part in a wide array of outreach events with our partner organizations.
Clinics for Middle and High School Students
Our roster of renowned professional musicians and educators enables SFJAZZ Education to offer a year- round calendar of outreach activities, including:
- Clinics in Bay Area High School jazz bands with saxophonist and HSAS Director Paul Contos and other leading professional musicians
- Free summer workshops in Oakland schools, open to all high school-aged participants*
- Coaching and Mentoring for student ensembles
- Open Rehearsals and much more!
SFJAZZ Education presents FREE summer jazz workshops for High School students
High School students of all walks of life who play an instrument are welcome.
To sign-up for one of our free summer jazz workshops, fill out this form. If you have any questions, feel free to email cphillips@sfjazz.org for more information.
Taught by leading Bay Area educators and limited to 25 students, each FREE workshop is designed to improve core skills, including improvisation, sight-reading, rhythm and much more, in a fun and welcoming environment.
Workshop #1: Musicianship and Improvisation
Saturday, July 20th, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Oakland School for the Arts, 530 18th St, Oakland, CA 94612
Sound, technique, rhythm, swing and improvisation will be covered in our first weekend workshop. Students will work in a small group settings with our instructors on how to best approach these crucial aspects of a convincing jazz performance.
Workshop #2: Sight Reading and Composition
Saturday, August 10th, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St (at Fell), San Francisco
From reading syncopation to recognizing melodic patterns, sight reading will be broken down to its basic elements, and students will leave with specific tools for long-term development. In addition, students will be instructed on building foundational skills for jazz composition.
Workshop #3: Audition Skills
Saturday, August 17th, 12:30 – 4:30pm
Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St (at Fell), San Francisco
This workshop focuses on the skills needed for an audition including sight reading, rhythmic patterns and feels, musicianship and improvisation. Students get the chance to do a mock audition in front of panelists and their peers and are given feedback on ways to improve.
Space is limited for these valuable workshops, so reserve early!
To sign-up for one of our free summer jazz workshops, fill out this form.
Community Partnerships
SFJAZZ Education works closely with Bay Area peer organizations and schools in creating exciting programs for people of all ages. Our partners include the SF Unified School District, Museum of the African Diaspora, Youth Speaks, the Jazz Heritage Center, Yerba Buena Arts & Events, Out Of Site, Old Skool Cafe, The Jazzschool, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco and others.
Jazz In Session
This free program supports jazz performance and learning opportunities for public middle school ensembles by providing needed supplies and repertoire as well as clinics by jazz masters. A primary goal of the program is to offer professional development opportunities to band directors as well as school administrators.
