Inspire and motivate your students with a live,
interactive, and educational arts performance.
Assemblies are 45 minutes with a maximum
audience size of 250 students, unless otherwise
specified.
To schedule an Assembly, please contact Donna Sherman at 410.837.7577 ext. 102.
Note: Mileage, if applicable, will be calculated at the time of booking.
* - Artists with this symbol are MSAC approved! MSAC funding may be available!
‡ - Artists with this symbol have arts integration training through YA’s Teaching Artist Institute!
MUSIC ASSEMBLIES
BALL IN THE HOUSE
Touring Artist/Limited Availability
Totally Vocally
This program is jam-packed with music, entertainment and education! Through classic and contemporary cover songs and original works, Ball in the House will discuss and teach many aspects of music and performance. Students will discover what “a cappella” is, the technology behind their sound system, the various voice parts and how they fit together to make harmony and songs, an interactive beatboxing demonstration, the history of a cappella singing from chant through doo wop, and have a chance to ask questions. The program also addresses the teamwork needed to perform together and demonstrate how BitH works together as people and as voices. Grade Level: K-12
Fee: Single Program - $1,060; Back-to-Back Program - $1,600
* BAY STREET BRASSWORKS
Brass Can Do Anything Beginning with a blast from a prehistoric cow horn, students are immediately engaged in an action-packed program portraying the history of the brass family. Along the way, students learn about various musical periods and connections to world history, science, and math. Students will learn how valves work, how an instrument’s size relates to pitch and why trombones have slides. The program culminates with selected students making music alongside the five piece brass ensemble. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $850; Back-to-Back Program - $1,165
All That Jazz: The History of American Jazz The History of American Jazz Past to Present Beginning with a New Orleans style Dixieland parade, students take a musical journey through Jazz. This high-energy concert features Ragtime, Blues, Dixieland, Rock, and Swing. Students will learn about many artists including Maryland’s own Eubie Blake and Billie Holiday. Students are introduced to improvisation, instrumentation, and syncopation, using music that will leave them clapping, toe tapping, and finger snapping! Bay Street Brassworks performs as a 6 piece ensemble, including percussion. Grade Level: 6-12
Fee: Single Program - $1,115; Back-to-Back Program - $1,475
‡CURTIS BLUES
The History of Acoustic Delta Blues Show: The Roots of Rock and Hip Hop
During this interactive program, the original American music of the 1920’s and 1930’s comes alive for students. Blues Artist of the Year, Curtis Blues, performs as a one-man band playing drums, harmonica, and vintage resonator guitars. He demonstrates the history of acoustic instruments by playing a one string Diddley Bow and a homemade box guitar common in the rural South during the blues era. This program combines American history with the connections between acoustic blues and rock, country, hip hop and rap music that students listen to today. Grade Level: K-12
Fee: Single Program - $495; Back-to-Back Program - $695
* ‡DISHIBEM G.R.O.W.
NEW!G.R.O.W.
This interactive assembly features instruments built solely from recycled items. Drainage pipes, tubes, boxes, badminton racquets, tanks and even hands and feet are used in musical performances. The audience learns that they can reuse and repurpose items that would otherwise end up in the junkyard. The basic principles of note and pitch construction, rhythm, beat and timbre are discussed as each self-made instrument is explained by its maker. Grade Level: K-8
Fee: Single Program - $900; Back-to-Back- $1,220
* KEVIN GIFT
The Recital Experience
Sometimes listening to a classical concert can be a little confusing; Kevin gives students an introduction to the classical concert. Why do people clap at the end of some pieces and not at the end of others? Where do words like ‘bravo’ and ‘encore’ come from? What are those funny looking clothes performers wear and why are they called tails? Find out all of this and more through this interactive, classical concert.
A tuned piano is required. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $525
Do I Have to Practice? Most kids would rather play soccer or basketball than practice an instrument. So how did a typical boy grow up to be a concert pianist? Kevin shares the different ways he made practicing fun as a child. Playing selections from his jazz and classical repertoire, he demonstrates just how far practicing can take you, encouraging would-be musicians to keep at it, and inspiring all students to persevere and achieve.
A tuned piano is required. Grade Level: K-8
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $525
Jazz Piano Masters
Explore the world of jazz piano greats, from Thelonius Monk and Art Tatum, to Keith Jarrett. The art of improvisationin jazz is explored, along with scat singing. Kevin uses familiar examples, as well as some of his original pieces. Students learn how improvisation can make practicing anything more enjoyable and personally satisfying. A tuned piano is required. Grade Level: 6-12
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $525
JALI-D
Rhythms and Rhymes for Wise Young Minds
Never before have children looked at math and reading in such a hip way. This rhythmic and lyrically engaging performance demonstrates the power of music as an educational tool, and inspires both students and teachers to view learning in an exciting new way. In this program, Jali-D raps about math, reading, science, video games, the brain, and more. He also instills important academic lessons and a strong emphasis on the value of achievement. Students will even get an opportunity to display their math and reading prowess in clever ‘call and response’ exercises. Grade Level:K-5
Fee: Single Program - $385; Back-to-Back Program - $525
* MILKSHAKE
Music with Milkshake Milkshake’s program is an interactive and inspiring performance that encourages children to “be a part of the band” and join in the music-making. Children participate through body movement and voice. Creative expression is encouraged with every song, as young children interpret different styles of music and respond to singing games, which introduce beat, tempo, and rhythm. Grade Level:PreK-2
Fee: Single Program - $730; Back-to-Back Program - $900
* ‡ALDEN PHELPS
NEW!A Window in My Heart: A Story About Bullying Assembly: NEW! A Window in My Heart: A Story About Bullying
Using rapping, singing and storytelling, Alden Phelps tells the tale of a child who gets bullied at school, and how he stops it, with help from students and adults. The story is told from three points of view: the bully, the victim, and the bully’s friend, all narrated by the school janitor. This program will be most effective when combined with other school anti-bullying programs. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $475
JabberTalky: Playing with Words Alden sings up an earful of zany songs and zippy guitar-ifications, while students gleefully sing along to ‘Ted the Rhino’ and laugh out loud at ‘Be Careful with My Mega-Droid Robot.’ Songs and fast-paced word games explore writing concepts including simile and metaphor and point of view, and inspire the joy of playing with language. This is a great stand-alone program, but also works well as a sequel to Alden’s assembly, “Word Play”. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $475
Silly Songs with the Barnyard Bard Animal songs such as ‘Everybody’s Wakin’ Up,’ colorful visuals, and animated stories give students a fun appreciation of life on a farm. Alden leads students in ‘The Breakfast Game’ and the ‘Where Did it Come From?’ game, which help students see the central role that farms play in the food we eat and the clothes we wear. Grade Level: PreK-3
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $475
Word Play Alden’s far-fetched, funny songs and impressive guitar playing will delight audiences. Students are encouraged to sing along with original songs such as “My Mommy’s a Pirate” and “Chocolate Pie.” Word games are also woven into this musical performance as a way to bolster language skills, and students will be asked to finish simple rhyming couplets and improvise song lyrics. Already love “Word Play”? Alden’s assembly, “JabberTalky”, is a great sequel to this program. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $360; Back-to-Back Program - $475
* ‡ROCKCREEK STEEL DRUMS
NEW!The Birth of Steel Drum Music
Rockcreek Steel Drum’s Band, “Bermuda Blue” takes the audience on a journey through the development of the modern steel drum instrument. The story starts in the small Caribbean Island of Trinidad in the 1940’s with roots spreading back to the traditional “Talking Drums” of Africa. Bermuda Blue demonstrates the different types of steel drums and other Caribbean instruments while playing Calypso music. Students join the band to play steel drums and tamboo bamboo. Students will leave with an appreciation and understanding of steel drum music, the instrument and its history and culture. Grade Level: 3-12
Fee: Single Program - $750; Back-to-Back Program - $1,000
‡SSUUNA
Mujje: Come Together In this interactive program, Ssuuna opens a window on African culture through dance, music, and storytelling. He weaves together stories and dance with music from his native Uganda, played on authentic African instruments. Grade Level: K-12
Fee: Single Program - $550; Back-to-Back Program - $675
Japanese Drumming and Dance Taikoza introduces students to the rich festival traditions of Japan. Accompanied by thunderous taiko drums and Japanese flutes, students take a journey through different regions of Japan as they explore traditional folk song and dance. Grade Level: K-12
Fee: Single Program - $955; Back-to-Back Program - $1,200
* ‡SUE TRAINOR
Writing Songs to Learn
An engaging, interactive concert where students will learn about the musical tools a songwriter uses, and how and why a songwriter uses them to write songs. Sue will lead students to see the powerful connection that a songwriter’s musical tools – beat/rhythm, melody, and lyrics have to everyday verbal expression. She will also explore the creation of original music for the purpose of communicating personal narrative, informative, or persuasive points. Student volunteers will be invited to create lyrics to existing melodies by making a list, using repetition, figurative language and rhyme, and by asking questions. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $475; Back-to-Back Program - $626
Young Audiences Arts for Learning Maryland | 2601 North Howard Street, Suite 320, Baltimore, MD 21218
| p: 410.837.7577 | f: 410.837.7579 | info@yamd.org
