The DMDL Methodology
DMDL facilitates learning through “live” presentations that extract life skills and lessons taken from the DMDL curriculum.
Details
Take a look at our Fine Arts Offerings:
In-School Performances
We bring the highest level of arts programming to your school with enriched presentations that connect cultures and historical perspectives.
American culture can be defined by its music. We can better understand today’s music culture by looking through the mirror of time. Presented by a 4-5 piece band (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals), this presentation explores the development of American Rock music from the early jazz crooners and the American blues storytellers to the bands of the “British Invasion.”
Discover the physical and social benefits of dance in this presentation. With a combination of Tap and Hip Hop dance artists experience cultural dances in the U.S. as they present dance techniques within various genres and explore how the feet play an integral part (line dancing, Irish jigs, tap, and fancy footwork). Learn some dance moves and show us what you’ve got!
Using basic themes of communication, leadership and community, Diaspora! will lead students on a journey from the coasts of Africa to the in-lands of America. Students will learn about the aesthetics of work and the principles of survival as they are presented in the American slavery experience. Methods of communication and story telling are explored through the oral traditions of “signifying”, “pattin’ juba” and “urban street jive”, traits which are present in the rituals of African tribal life and modern day rap that survived the African Diaspora.
In this presentation, the DJ will discuss the Evolution of Hip Hop and its influences on American culture. Students will learn the influences of Hip Hop on the DJ and it has changed from inception to the 21st Century. Presenter will also discuss “having a career as a Mixologist.” Through live demonstrations, participants will interact with presenter on the use of new DJ technologies and techniques.
A musical learning workshop. Click here for more.
Students will learn about the rich history of Latin America through its music and the complex rhythms and uniquely percussive instruments.
In this Part 1 of Jazz History, students will learn about the origins of jazz from its roots in African music and culture through its transformation during the African Diaspora.
An oral presentation in the great storyteller tradition in which Chicago veteran entertainer, Maggie Brown sings and narrates the history and evolution of African American music. This dynamic musical performance educates students and teachers alike. Maggie engages her audience with a narrative lesson in African American music history. She also uses songs to demonstrate the various genres which have been created, from African chants to contemporary urban music.
Gain insight and understanding when you explore the development of the American culture with contributions from the drummers, dancers, and storytellers of Africa. Discover the art of African music and cultures through African eyes and ears. Experience West African instruments and how the practice of incorporating improvisation, polyrhythms, and dance helped influence world cultures.
Did you know there are actually only 12 musical notes in music? Discover the power these 12 notes in the hands of genius composers.
This presentation crosses boundaries of genre, style and geography.
See how they show up in culture and history when genius is applied in this presentation of music from Bach, Mozart, Duke Ellington, and Stevie Wonder. Steered by a string quartet playing 21st century musical concepts we’ll explore Europe and America down the avenues of Classical, Swing, and Motown.
How does music written hundreds of years ago still have relevancy today? Uncover the answer in this presentation of music and effect. Driven by a string quartet, we journey to discover why and how classical music from Europe and the U.S. is used in movies as they demonstrate classical musical themes, matching emotions with thematic material.
Technique, Team building and Communication through the percussive arts.
Students will gain an understanding of music by exploring its history and analyzing various music examples that illustrate its journey through time. Through these students will benefit from cognitive and emotional growth experiences of classical music study.
Students will delve into the connections that jazz and our American pillars of democracy, liberty, and freedom share. They will also explore how jazz influenced American and world cultures and how it continues to do so to this day.
Students will look at the life of Soul and R&B music, considering histories and exploring music examples that will add to their understanding of music as it is today.
In this Part 2 of Jazz History, students will continue add to their understanding of jazz history by exploring the evolution jazz has taken throughout American history. soon!
Students will gain knowledge of a genre of jazz known as Third Stream. They will learn about how jazz and classical come together to form a unique genre, experience first-hand music from our Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and draw understanding about what the meaning of Third Stream is and how it relates to our world.
Field Trip Performances
We invite your students to take an excursion to experience large-scale performances at world-class venues.
America’s uniqueness stems from the many cultures that are woven together in our streets and neighborhoods. Explore the different music in our cultures that have immigrated and now call America ‘home.’ This presentation seeks to bring the focus on understanding how cultures differ and are similar, based on the music and personal stories of its musicians.
Honoring Nelson Mandela’s centennial year, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic reprises this monumental work which premiered in 2008 as part of a worldwide celebration of Mandela’s 90th birthday. The composition weaves jazz and classical music with African rhythms and narration from Mandela’s speeches.
The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic pays homage to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald, in honor of what would have been her 95th birthday. The program included CJP’s full orchestra (55 pieces) and featured four of Chicago’s most celebrated vocalists, Dee Alexander, Jackie Allen, Bobbi Wilsyn, and Joan Collaso, giving tribute to the legacy that is Ella Fitzgerald.
DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis tells the history of Chicago’s African-American community as never before, through the voices of its leading citizens, scholars, artists, politicians, and business leaders.
Repertoire included works that demonstrated how the jazz and classical genres can indeed fuse, creating a new aesthetic; works by Bill Russo, David Baker, Gunther Schuller, Daniel Schnieder and of course Orbert Davis.
Artist in Residency
We give the students the opportunity to discover the arts on a deeper level through multi-week experiences.
Discover the physical and social benefits of dance in this presentation. With a combination of Tap and Hip Hop dance artists experience cultural dances in the U.S. as they present dance techniques within various genres and explore how the feet play an integral part (line dancing, Irish jigs, tap, and fancy footwork). Learn some dance moves and show us what you’ve got!
Using basic themes of communication, leadership and community, Diaspora! will lead students on a journey from the coasts of Africa to the in-lands of America. Students will learn about the aesthetics of work and the principles of survival as they are presented in the American slavery experience. Methods of communication and story telling are explored through the oral traditions of “signifying”, “pattin’ juba” and “urban street jive”, traits which are present in the rituals of African tribal life and modern day rap that survived the African Diaspora.
DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis tells the history of Chicago’s African-American community as never before, through the voices of its leading citizens, scholars, artists, politicians, and business leaders.
In this presentation, the DJ will discuss the Evolution of Hip Hop and its influences on American culture. Students will learn the influences of Hip Hop on the DJ and it has changed from inception to the 21st Century. Presenter will also discuss “having a career as a Mixologist.” Through live demonstrations, participants will interact with presenter on the use of new DJ technologies and techniques.
Students will delve into the connections that jazz and our American pillars of democracy, liberty, and freedom share. They will also explore how jazz influenced American and world cultures and how it continues to do so to this day.
Students will look at the life of Soul and R&B music, considering histories and exploring music examples that will add to their understanding of music as it is today.
Learning how to photograph and edit with a smart phone or tablet.
In this Part 1 of Jazz History, students will learn about the origins of jazz from its roots in African music and culture through its transformation during the African Diaspora.
Students will gain knowledge of a genre of jazz known as Third Stream. They will learn about how jazz and classical come together to form a unique genre, experience first-hand music from our Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and draw understanding about what the meaning of Third Stream is and how it relates to our world.
Gain insight and understanding when you explore the development of the American culture with contributions from the drummers, dancers, and storytellers of Africa. Discover the art of African music and cultures through African eyes and ears. Experience West African instruments and how the practice of incorporating improvisation, polyrhythms, and dance helped influence world cultures.
America’s uniqueness stems from the many cultures that are woven together in our streets and neighborhoods. Explore the different music in our cultures that have immigrated and now call America ‘home.’ This presentation seeks to bring the focus on understanding how cultures differ and are similar, based on the music and personal stories of its musicians.
Technique, Team building and Communication through the percussive arts.
Students will gain an understanding of music by exploring its history and analyzing various music examples that illustrate its journey through time. Through these students will benefit from cognitive and emotional growth experiences of classical music study.
Honoring Nelson Mandela’s centennial year, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic reprises this monumental work which premiered in 2008 as part of a worldwide celebration of Mandela’s 90th birthday. The composition weaves jazz and classical music with African rhythms and narration from Mandela’s speeches.
Examine why Mariachi and Mexican Folk Music play a major role in Mexican culture by learning about its purposes and uses in life and get to know the instruments and costumes that make up this traditional folk music.
Students will learn about the rich history of Latin America through its music and the complex rhythms and uniquely percussive instruments.
In this Part 2 of Jazz History, students will continue add to their understanding of jazz history by exploring the evolution jazz has taken throughout American history.
Arts-in-Education
Using a scientific process: We teach students to listen. We teach students to think. We teach students to create.
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