Grade Level: PreK-5th
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Subject: Music, History, Cultural Studies

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Lesson Overview

Students will learn how African rhythms and European marching band traditions combined in New Orleans to shape jazz music. Through listening, movement, and rhythm activities, they’ll explore this fusion of cultures and its impact on American music.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand how African and European musical traditions blended in New Orleans.

2. Identify key instruments and elements of marching band music.

3. Participate in rhythm and movement activities inspired by marching bands.

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Materials Needed

• Homemade instruments (e.g., buckets, sticks, shakers) or use body percussion.

• Visual aids: Images or videos of marching bands and brass instruments.

• Optional: A recording of a marching band or New Orleans jazz music.

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Lesson Steps

Introduction to Musical Fusion (5-7 minutes)

• Share that New Orleans is famous for combining African and European musical traditions.

• Explain that Europeans brought marching bands to New Orleans, featuring instruments like trumpets, trombones, and drums.

• Describe how African rhythms from Congo Square blended with these bands, creating the foundation for jazz music.

• Show pictures of marching bands and their instruments to give context.

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Listen and Imagine (5 minutes)

• Play a short recording of a New Orleans marching band or brass band.

• Ask students to close their eyes and imagine walking alongside the band.

  • What do they hear?

  • How does the music make them feel?

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Rhythm Activity: Marching Band Beat (10-15 minutes)

• Teach a simple marching band rhythm using clapping, stomping, or percussion instruments:

  • Example pattern: “Stomp-Stomp-Clap… Stomp-Stomp-Clap.”

• Divide students into groups to represent different sections of the band:

  • Rhythm section (drums or stomps).

  • Horn section (students hum or sing melodies).

• Lead the group in a mini parade, marching in time with the rhythm and adding their own flair.

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Discussion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Ask students:

  • How do you think African rhythms made marching band music sound different?

  • Why do you think this fusion of styles became so popular in New Orleans?

• Discuss how this blend of cultures helped create jazz, a new style of music that changed the world.

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Extension Activities

• Instrument Exploration: Create simple “horns” using paper towel rolls for students to pretend to play in the parade.

• Art Connection: Have students draw their own marching band, including the instruments and colors they imagine.

• Music History: Introduce key figures like Buddy Bolden, who brought African rhythms to brass bands.

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Reflection Questions

• What did you enjoy most about marching and playing music?

• How do you think music can bring together different cultures?

• Can you think of other examples where two different traditions combined to create something new?

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Teacher/Parent Tips

• Keep the rhythm simple for younger students and gradually build up complexity.

• Encourage creativity by letting students add their own sounds or movements to the parade.

• Reinforce the cultural importance of this fusion and its impact on American music.