Playing an arrangement of upbeat music, exciting the young crowd, the Aragon Jazz Ensemble performed at Baywood Elementary during the school’s Spirit Week on Oct. 2. Every year, for the past fifteen years, Baywood has invited the ensemble to perform for the students, perhaps sparking an interest in future musicians.
The performance also included senior Olivia Tandowsky who sang Ella Fitzgerald’s “Too Darn Hot” with the accompaniment of the jazz ensemble— a special addition to the performance. Sophomore drummer Rochelle Leung says, “I remember several of the kids started dancing with us and we were basically surrounded by them. They all stood in front of us; it was a successful performance.” In addition, senior Austin Kang says, “I thought it was a great experience. We strive to reach out to the younger community and to expose children to music.”
Performing to an audience of elementary schoolers may inspire many to pursue music throughout middle and high school. Baywood’s music program offered to fifth graders is another example of how sparking an interest for music begins at a young age so that students will hopefully continue this passion throughout later years in school and life. “It feels pretty good playing for the kids because some of them probably don’t have any musical exposure, so giving them that sort of influence [helps] children find something they might want to do in the future,” says Leung. “As a kid, we do all sorts of activities, partially to find what we love to do and what we might want to consider in the future, so showing them that music is an option felt helpful and I do believe that later they will be more inspired to pick up a musical instrument; maybe not particularly jazz, but at least it gave them that sort of musical exposure.” After watching the high schoolers perform, Baywood fourth grader Melanie Ma says, “I had a lot of fun listening to them play their music. I think that next year I want to play the flute.”
Interests in talents such as music start at a young age when children are exposed to them early on. Fostering enthusiasm for music in children encourages them to pursue music later in life. “I have been involved in music for as long as I have memories,” says Davis. “My Nana used to sit me down at the piano when I was three and showed me where the different notes were, as well as teach me songs by rote. I began singing, dancing, whistling, and making music on the piano just after I started to speak.”
Aragon band teacher Troy Davis adds, “I believe the best way to encourage them is to expose them to excellent role models, such as my students in the Aragon Jazz Ensemble.” With role models in this ensemble to look up to, young students can aspire to become musicians like them and pursue their passions for music in the future.
