Jazz & Blues Suitcase

Jazz & Blues Suitcase, is a free educational program that provides interactive, cross-curricular lesson plans and materials to K-5 teachers. The program is designed to introduce elementary school students to the stylistic art forms of jazz & blues through a multi-sensory approach.  

Program Details

  • Target Audience: Students in grades K-5.

  • Cost: The program is offered at no cost to participating schools or students.

  • Duration: It is typically a three-week residency program.

  • Curriculum: The lesson plans are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in subject areas including music, theatre, dance, art, language arts, and music history.

  • Materials: Participating teachers "check out" physical "suitcases" filled with various materials to help students experience jazz & blues, such as:

    • Percussion Instruments

    • Puppets

    • Lesson plans

    • Books

Jazz & Blues Suitcase LIVE!

The program concludes with an on-campus Jazz & Blues Suitcase LIVE! performance, an interactive 40-minute program featuring a Teaching Artist and Jazz Backing Band. The music suitcase is returned to the Artistic Education Company at the end of the month.