Kevin Harris Project...Educational Programs

Educational Program

“The trio was very interactive and creative in its presentation of ‘communication through improvised music’. The band made the connecting similarities between communication and improvised music throughout American history. Great Job!”

—Kia Lebeau
Multiculture Specialist for Needham Public Schools

“The Kevin Harris Project was a big hit at St. John's. Everyone in the audience was entertained and educated - not just the children participating in the program, but the also adults watching the show. Especially effective was the segment about ‘The Blues’ in which the participants created their own blues tune.”

—Sivan Etedgee
Musical Director

A Note from Kevin—

Steve Langone and I have been hosting a jam session for our students at Seattle’s Best Coffee shop in Lexington, MA. Being able to foster participation for our students seems to be the key to success (theirs and ours) when learning to improvise. Private lessons are great, yet those lessons ultimately prepare the student for group ensembles much like personal training for a group sport. The jam sessions have been a blast! They’ve helped foster motivation, growth, teamwork, and not to mention good old fashioned fun. The cyclical joy of teaching is that we as teachers are always learning.

Educational Programs

Deeply committed to the teaching of America’s improvised classical music, jazz, the Kevin Harris Project has developed a captivating program that has inspired audiences of all ages. This program is creative, fun, and effective. The K.H.P. has performed in the public and private school systems throughout the USA, as well as Italy and Poland.

Educational Programs are designed to introduce students to various styles of improvised music and cultural awareness. Through performances and discussion of musical styles such as African, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Brazilian, southern gospel, and modern day hip hop influences, the KHP is sure to bring any audience to a higher level of musical appreciation and understanding.

A typical performance might include the Charlie Parker composition, “My Little Suede Shoes” in the form of a Cha Cha Cha, or perhaps a samba arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobims’ “One note Samba”. Lasting 45-60 minutes, programs are carefully structured and taught through examples of call and response, question and answer opportunities, movement with rhythm, all serving as fundamental tools to help create a well informed audience.

Private Lessons

Letter to Parents—

I have included a summary of some of the activities we will be doing during the course of the year. It's going to be an exciting and challenging time for your child. They will be expected to step up to the plate and make an effort during our lesson times as well as at home to learn the musical concepts being taught.

I personally invite you to come and visit my studio at any time during the year as well as to pose any questions to me that you'd like answered. In a nutshell, "let's not be strangers." We are both working toward educating your child. Naturally, our jobs get a little easier when we are working together as a team.

Please review the summary below and call me with any questions, suggestions, problems, or just to say hello. Together we can make this a great experience for your child!

Music terminology, music history, theory, technique, and repertoire, will always play some role in most lessons.
Students will also listen to or watch on video, musicians who play the instruments they are studying.
Throughout the year, the lesson assignments applications will be used to help encourage understanding, appreciation and love for the music as well as help to bring out self confidence and self esteem in your child.
CAUTION! There is a one hundred percent chance that we will have lots of fun. So if by chance your child has any allergic reactions to laughing, I strongly recommend another teacher (Perhaps Mr. Spock).

I believe our children are looking for structure and its our responsibility to provide that structrure. Every parent will be made aware of any outstanding effort (or lack of) in conduct, class work, homework,and musical performance.

Finally my strongest expectation of all my students is strong commitment. Therefore, you and your child can safely expect a full commitment from me.

I look forward to our time together.

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