Our Programs

Intergenerational jazz jams

Local high school and university band students join forces with our house band, “Chill”, to provide an afternoon of outstanding jazz. Students of all ages benefit from this experiential learning environment. Students are often paired with professional musicians and learn to perform on the spot.

Audience members are invited to perform with other musicians or to join in with a song. Attendees range in age from infancy to 90 plus years. These jazz jams promote student proficiency, confidence, comraderie, and improvisation.

violin lessons

In a unique learning environment, students 3 years old and up receive weekly violin lessons. From the creation of their own instruments to learning their first songs, parents are encouraged to experience music and learn alongside their children.

Inter-district Jazz Assembly Programs

In an effort to reduce racial isolation, Monk Youth Jazz has invited students from urban and suburban school districts to attend jazz assembly programs led by T. S. Monk at Yale University Woolsey Hall. Students from New Haven, West Haven, Branford, and Hamden have been in attendance. During these assembly programs, school jazz bands have performed for area students and community members. Most importantly, they have learned about brotherhood and unity through music, more specifically, jazz as a metaphor for democracy.

Jazz Workshops

New Haven Public School students grades 4-8 participate in jazz and music workshops hosted by local and internationally acclaimed musicians. Thelonious Sphere Monk III (T.S. Monk) began hosting jazz workshops at Yale University Woolsey Hall for NHPS students in 2012. Students at Cooperative High School,  Edgewood Magnet, Mauro Sheridan and Davis Street Schools have also participated in Jazz workshops with legendary drummer, composer, and band leader T.S. Monk.

multiculturalism

“United in His Presence, The Greater New Haven Gospel Super Choir,” is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-faith, and multi-generational gospel choir that unites suburban and urban communities. Singers have been recruited from New Haven, Hamden, Guilford, Branford, East Haven and beyond to learn the art of gospel music. Through rehearsals and performances people from various demographics have learned more about each other and forged lasting relationships.

Humanities

We provide opportunities for community members of all ages to synthesize and evaluate information through concerts at Yale and in the greater New Haven community. At each concert, audience members are invited to question and answer segments hosted by the visiting artist. “Monk 103: The Man, His Music, and Bridging the Racial Divide,” is our largest humanities event to date, boasting renowned panelists Thelonious Sphere Monk III, Robin D.G. Kelley, Ph.D, Nicole Ivy, Ph.D, and Grammy Award winning saxophonist Wayne Escoffery.