Education

More than a Festival, Sonoma Jazz + has developed a partnership with Sonoma Valley Unified School District to support and enhance local music education in our K-12 public schools with the goal of creating a world-class music program.

Over $450,000 has been donated since 2005!!
Programs have included:

SummerJam Band Camp: Two week Band Camp this June for 5-8th graders, with the goal of increasing band participation in local middle schools.

High School Summer Music Camp Scholarships: Scholarships made available to enable students to participate in existing Northern California Music Camps.

SVUSD District Music Advisory Committee: A collaborative district/teacher/parent/community partnership, whose primary goal is to enhance music opportunities for middle and high school students.

Ongoing K-12 Music Infrastructure Support: Have purchased music stands, music stand carts, new band instruments, choral risers, as well as summer instrument repair of school instruments.

Visiting Musician Performances to Inspire: Provided assemblies to inspire students, including jazz assemblies, "Opera a la Carte" from the SF Opera Guild, cultural performances (Cascada de Flores and Brazilian Drumming) and classical music from the Santa Rosa Symphony and Nigel Armstrong.

Sonoma Valley Gym Jam: Annual SVUSD District-wide K-12 Spring Music Concert, with 3rd-12th grade singers and instrumentalists performing for the community.

High School Scholarship Support: Provided scholarship support for SVHS's Award-Winning Music Department's annual competition trips around the country, as well as an annual music scholarship for graduating seniors.

High School Music Dept. Support: Provided support for choral department with a year-long accompanist as well as bringing in retired teachers for band sectionals support.

Middle School Performing Arts Club: Piloted the program to enhance performing arts opportunities for 6th-8th grade.

Music Liaison: Provides support person to coordinate SJ+ In-Schools programs as well as to enhance communication with parents, schools, district administration and the community.

3rd Grade Drumming Program: Provided access to year-long body rhythm and drumming classes as well as afterschool drumming enrichment programs.

Summer Teen Jazz Camp: Collaborated with Sonoma Community Center on an annual two week summer camp for local student musicians.

Middle School Musicals: Created the SVUSD Middle School Musical Afterschool Program, with one month of intensive workshop preparation, performing songs, dance and stories from popular Broadway musicals.

Teacher Education and Grant Support: Provided teacher education with Guitars in the Classroom program and primary music workshop.  Grants are also available to enhance music in the classroom or provide summer music training.

Support of Little Kids Rock Program: Started collaboration with local elementary school "Little Kids Rock" program to ensure that all students who wanted to play had access to a guitar.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT SJ+.  YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!