Assembly programs are live performances for PreK-12 grade audiences that are available through YA in a variety of mediums from traditional dance to film making. Book your assembly program today!
Assembly programs:
Are a wonderful way to introduce students to an artistic discipline and culture
Are 45 minutes in length and have a maximum audience size of 250 students unless otherwise specified
Have been developed in compliance with the Maryland Essential Learner Outcomes for the Fine Arts
Naturally connect to different areas of the curricula, and these connections can be deepened through the use of our Teacher Guides. (View sample teacher guide.)
To Schedule an Assembly Program: Call 410.837.7577 ext. 15 or download, complete, and email this form to donna@yamd.org.
Note: Mileage, if applicable, will be calculated at the time of booking.
For a complete program description, including curriculum connections, please use our searchable database.
music ASSEMBLIES Artist with this symbol (k) are Maryland State Arts Council
(MSAC) approved. MSAC funding may be available.
kAlmost Recess
All About A Cappella Almost Recess jam-packs this program with music, entertainment, and education. This ensemble will perform both original songs and remakes and, in between songs, will describe how they create their music, explain their vocal arrangements, discuss the history and types of A Cappella, and introduce vocal drumming. Students will be encouraged to participate by singing, creating themes for original songs, demonstrating knowledge of vocal music, and drumming with their mouths! Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $1,000; Back-to-Back Program - $1,600
School of Rock In this performance students will learn about the history of pop music as Almost Recess travels through the decades singing songs from the Beatles through the music of today. The group will discuss different musical styles with their version of “Song Styles,” borrowed from the TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Students will participate throughout the program by singing and “drumming” with their mouths. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $1,000; Back-to-Back Program - $1,600
kBay Street Brassworks
Brass Can Do Anything Beginning with a blast from a prehistoric cow horn, students are immediately engaged in an action-packed program that musically portrays the history of the brass family. Along the way, students learn about the various music periods and connections to world history, science, and math. Students will learn how valves work, why smaller instruments sound higher and larger instruments sound lower, why trombones have slides, and tubas are so large. The program culminates with selected students making music alongside the ensemble. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8
Fee: Single Program - $700; Back-to-Back Program - $1,050
All That Jazz: The History of American Jazz Beginning with a New Orleans style Dixieland parade, Bay Street Brassworks,with percussion, take students on a musical journey through Jazz. America’s own musical art form is introduced through a high-energy concert featuring Ragtime, the Blues, Dixieland, Baltimore’s own Eubie Blake and Billie Holiday, as well as Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, W.C. Handy, Glenn Miller, and Dave Brubeck. Students are introduced to improvisation, instrumentation and syncopation, using music that will leave them clapping, tapping, and finger snapping! Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $1,050; Back-to-Back Program - $1,475
C. Shells touring artist/limited availability
Cindy and Shelly Sing C. Shells get help from their friends Ant-Toine, Carmelita La Cucaracha, and Benito the Bat as they give a musical lesson about the world in which we live. Combining original songs such as “The Play Dough Blues” with old favorites like “La Cucaracha” and “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean,” this program uses movement and rhythms to enhance small and large motor skills and language development to create a lively, interactive program. Grade Level:PreK-2
Fee: Single Program - $525; Back-to-Back Program - $750 (Hotel Fees May Apply)
Going to the Zoo Did you know that all animals that live in the zoo are there to teach people? Pythons, lions, and giraffes are just some of the animals your students will sing about in this energetic and educational program. This fact-filled concert will educate your students about wildlife classification systems and the critical role zoos play in preserving wildlife. Grade Level:K-5
Fee: Single Program - $525; Back-to-Back Program - $750 (Hotel Fees May Apply)
Cubanana touring artist/limited availability
MelodÃas y danzas de Cuba When Cubanana presents world famous Cuban music and dance, everyone loves to sing, dance, clap rhythms, practice Spanish, and play instruments! Students go on a virtual trip to Cuba, the ‘Island of Music,’ through stories and a video backdrop while exploring popular genres and their roots-such as Cuban son (also known as salsa), chachachá, guajira, and conga. Cubanana promotes multicultural understanding and following your dreams. All programs are available in Spanish or English. Grade Level: PreK-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $580; Back-to-Back Program - $775 (Hotel Fees May Apply)
kBarry Dove Percussion Trio
Global Percussion This trio stimulates interest in music, geography, history, and world cultures by taking students on a “world tour” of percussion. The artists highlight the contributions of various peoples around the globe as they give the audience an overview of percussion, ancient to modern. Students will learn about the birth of wooden instruments in Africa, the metal and wooden instruments of South America, the development of jazz in North America, China’s gongs and temple blocks, the frame drums of the Middle East, and Europe’s orchestral percussion. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $690; Back-to-Back Program - $860
kKevin 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. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $325; Back-to-Back Program - $500 A tuned piano is required.
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 all students to persevere and achieve. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8
Fee: Single Program - $325; Back-to-Back Program - $500 A tuned piano is required.
Jazz Piano Masters Explore the world of jazz piano greats, from Thelonius Monk and Art Tatum, to Keith Jarrett. The art of improvisation in 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. Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $325; Back-to-Back Program - $500 A tuned piano is required.
kMilkshake
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 responding to singing games, which include beat, tempo, and rhythm. Grade Level:PreK-2
Fee: Single Program - $690; Back-to-Back Program - $890
kOdyssey Opera Theatre
“O” is for Opera! Through this highly interactive program students experience first-hand how music, drama, dance, and visual arts combine to create the unique art form of opera and are introduced to musical excerpts from Offenbach’s “Tales of Hoffman,” Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess,” Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” and Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus.” Favorite songs such as the “Insy Weensy Spider” and “Bingo” will also be enjoyed as the program culminates in a mini-opera built and sung by the entire audience. Audience size limited to 125.
Grade Level: PreK-1
Fee: Single Program - $470; Back-to-Back Program - $790
Once Upon an Opera!
This delightful, highly interactive program shows students how exciting it can be to “tell” a story though this unique art form. Students will discover that opera is actually a powerful combination of many art forms: music, drama, dance, and visual arts. The program culminates as the entire audience uses their voices, emotions, and bodies to help combine the basic elements of opera into their own mini-opera version of the beloved story “Hansel & Gretel.” Grade Level: PreK-5
Fee: Single Program - $470; Back-to-Back Program - $790
alden phelps
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. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $286; Back-to-Back Program - $429
kAl Saunders and the Downtown Rhythm Express
Songs of Life in America Al and the Downtown Rhythm Express introduces younger students to musical instruments and focuses on the different settings in which one might hear these instruments played. The group uses music relating to the roots of the American people. Students will hear everything from marches to New Orleans jazz and will experience how each instrument functions in each type of music. Grade Level: PreK-2
Fee: Single Program - $625; Back-to-Back Program - $800
South of the Border Al and the Downtown Rhythm Express takes students on a musical trip south of the border to experience the rhythms and melodies of Latin American music while incorporating geography and a touch of Spanish. Students will learn about the influences of Spain and Africa on the music of the Caribbean and South America. The students will participate by playing Cuban and South American instruments. Grade Level: K-5
Fee: Single Program - $625; Back-to-Back Program - $800
The Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll Al and the Downtown Rhythm Express takes students on a 50-year journey to trace the American styles that were blended to create early rock ‘n’ roll. Students gain a historical perspective as they discover the distinctive bass patterns and instrumentation of boogie-woogie, blues, jazz, and rhythm & blues. This band’s unique ability to connect with students always leaves them singing for more. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $625; Back-to-Back Program - $800
Jazzin’ it up! Jazz is rooted in slaves’ African rhythms and Christian hymns. Al and the Downtown Rhythm Express bring the music to life and will create the same excitement in your school as it once did for the inhabitants of New Orleans when the first jazz band marched down Basin Street. Students will develop an understanding that jazz is no stranger to them because they have been listening to jazz musicians sing and play all their lives. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $625; Back-to-Back Program - $800
Afro-Cuban Jazz in the U.S. As Cuban musicians were immigrating to the US in the 1940s and 1950s, their U.S. counterparts were visiting Cuba. This program is an overview of the music that grew from these different cultures as they blended together. Music of Mongo Santamaria, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, and international saxophonist Gato Barbieri from Argentina will be featured. Grade Level: 6-12
Fee: Single Program - $625; Back-to-Back Program - $800
Ssuuna
Mujje: Come Together In this interactive program Ssuuna opens a window on African culture through dance, music, and storytelling. He weaves together stories with dance and music from his native Uganda played on authentic African instruments. Learn how the Amagunju dance evolved as a way to soothe an infant king (the traditional equivalent of today’s iPOD) and how traditional values like respect and gratitude are passed on through song and story. Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $500; Back-to-Back Program - $625
kStrings-n-Things
Rhythms Around the World This program captivates and engages young audiences with interactive performances of classical music from the United States, Kenya, Argentina, Japan, Ireland, and other countries, and includes well-known works by Mozart, Strauss, and Elgar. Students will track their globe-trekking progress on a giant world map as they explore the unique rhythms that distinguish music from many world cultures. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for take-off. No passport is required, but finger snapping is highly encouraged! Grade Level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $625; Back-to-Back Program - $850
Taikoza touring artist/limited availability
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-5; 6-8; 9-12
Fee: Single Program - $900; Back-to-Back Program - $1,200
