Thrifty Thursday: Jazz for Kids

       Free concerts are music to my ears - even more so when they are designed with families in mind! I was lucky enough to discover one such concert advertised on BYU's website last year. Even though admission was free, online registration was still required. I scored 7 tickets for the whole family (no ticket required for baby!) to enjoy a Saturday morning of Jazz music.
       The concert hall was crowded with families. We encourage respectful and quiet attention from our children during performances like this, but it was a big stress-reliever, knowing that should any of the little ones grow restless, we'd have a more sympathetic audience this time! Usher's handed out booster seats so we each had a comfortable view of the band. And one added bonus which I love about attending BYU performances, was the opening prayer. I love that it helps my children recognize the source of all our blessings in this life, and teaches them that they can invite and feel the Holy Spirit in the course of their everyday life.
     
       The interactive program was entertaining as well as educational. Steve Call, leader of the BYU Legacy Dixieland Jazz band explained the origins of jazz music and some of the elements that make it unique. They illustrated the difference in rhythm by contrasting a straight version of the main title from Star Wars with a jazz version, which uses a swinging beat and allows for improvisation. They also performed Cantina Music from Star Wars.

       I think my favorite part was when Steve demonstrated how to write your own Blues song by sharing a piece he'd written for his beloved retriever pup, Buddy Golden who, one fateful day, had been stung by a bee. He pointed out the traditional repetitive pattern in blues lyrics and explained that though the subject matter is a sad memory, singing about it makes you feel better. It made me think about using some blues therapy the next time the kids are upset by something.

I want to go outside to play.

Said, I wanna go outside to play.

But Mama says "No, we ain't gonna go,

'cuz it's too cold today!"

       After the performance, the band players played a few encores out in the foyer and children were able to come up and ask them questions about their instruments. 

       I may be biased as a student there, but I highly recommend BYU activities! If you're looking for fun, frugal, family-friendly experiences, check out the calendar on their website. You'll be glad you did.