JUST FOR U MUSIC PROGRAM

Shepherd School of Music Outreach

2012-2013 JUMP! Student Coordinators: Malachai Bandy, Tommy Morrison, and Padua Canty

In this technologically driven age of effortless global communication, sharing and playing music with other people remains one of the most powerful forms of person-to-person interaction in which we as humans can engage. With this compelling message and the theme “Dynamic Dialogues: Speaking Through Music” as a backdrop, this year’s JUMP! team will give young audiences a chance to explore the highly expressive power of classical music firsthand in a series of six interactive concerts and demonstrations. Shepherd School students will share their experiences of using their art to communicate a spectrum of thoughts and feelings common to all people, and of building relationships with others, regardless of our backgrounds, through music's incredible power to bring people together across cultural lines. Not only will our audiences learn about music itself—and the vast differences between experiencing live music and recorded music on iPods—but the behind-the-scenes teamwork, friendships, and interpersonal understanding that go into making the music that, today, is literally at our fingertips.

Each year Shepherd School students coordinate JUMP! as an independent study course. In the process, they learn such valuable skills as concert programming, production, promotion, presentation and peer mentoring.

All concerts are free of charge, but by reservation only. All six concerts are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoons. For questions or reservations, contact us: jump@rice.edu

The inreach (in-house outreach concerts) concept was conceived by students and faculty from the wind chamber music class at the Shepherd School. Student coordinators soon expanded the program to include student performers from all departments at the school.

Rachel Buchman, head of the Young Children’s Division at the the Shepherd School, teaches participating students the special performing skills needed to create a fun and informative classical music experience. Other Shepherd School faculty coach the chamber music groups and advise student leaders on planning and administration.

Student coordinators find many benefits come from the JUMP! program. Sharing music with children is exciting, energizing, and brings a fresh perspective to their art. In addition to attending a free concert in the intimate setting of Duncan Recital Hall, some school groups include a campus tour in their visit to Rice.

For many, it is their first experience on a college campus. As one faculty member observed, “Who knows what dreams can come from these experiences? If even one or two children can be inspired to go to college, it will be worth it.”