Will Taylor and the Jazz Menagerie

Educational Activities

Bring the teaching experience of Will Taylor & the Jazz Menagerie to your school. From 1994 -1996 Will presented over 30 informances for students in Austin, TX through his non-profit organization the Community Alive Music Series. The Jazz Menagerie is available in duo to quartet instrumentations for a variety of educational programs. We believe in an extremely hands-on approach that inspires and excites your students. Give them a chance to interact with a professional touring jazz ensemble. Some of the services include:

• -Improvisation Masterclasses and Workshops
• -Private lessons with individual band members
• -Informances can include any of the following topics/events:

Elementary Level & Jr. High Level

Intro to instruments in band, roles of each instrument, differences between jazz and classical music, what is improvisation vs composition demonstrated by band creating piece on the spot with motif generated by a teacher, students are given a short quiz at the end covering the topics the band discussed and are given the chance to write down one question for the band to answer and the end of the informance.

High School & College

What is cross-genre music?, rhythmic techniques for strings, introducing improv to string orchestra by use of the pentatonic scale, how does one learn to improvise, what is swing, the role of rhythm in jazz, History of jazz violin with stylistic periods demonstrated, students sit in with band and take suggestions from players, questions answered by audience/students

Teaching Experience: Grammy in the Schools, San Antonio Youth Symphony, Austin Chamber Music Workshop, Austin Jazz Workshop, Austin CommunityCollege, Austin Independent School School District, Austin Boys Choir, Eanes Independent School District, Young Audiences with the Turtle Island String Quartet, Schools in Virginia, Nevada, Pensylvania, and Colorado

Here's what some teachers have said:

"It was such a joy to have you here at McCallum. I've had such a great response from faculty and students alike!! You really make an impression. The kids were absolutely mesmerized, and surprised all of us with their rapt attention. You were formally pronounced "Cool" in the halls afterwards. . . . your rapport and tightness as a group came off well. As did the historical facts you included. The most illuminating moments came when you demonstrated the difference between the standard, straight-ahead approach to jazz and your adventurous arrangements and compositions. These elements are not necessarily in most students experience."

A. Rardin, McCallum High School

"Your performance was an important event for the participants, staff, parents and members. . .All thought you were not only polished and professional musicians, but entertaining and educational as well. . . . we try to demonstrate with this series, how much fun the boys will have with music after they graduate from the choir, and you communicated this best of all."

Austin Boys Choir

"What talented guys! And very patient and kind to children too, which I feel is really important. Many of our students came up and told me later how much they enjoyed the music. Personally I also think that it is vital for students to hear real jazz."

Jane R., Reilly Elementary