Peer Development Program

Program Guide

Title: Peer Development Program

Presented by: The Bass Shed Academy

Audience: Middle School & High School Students (Grades 6-12)

Format: 12-Week After-School Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Peer Development Program is a student-centered 12-week after school initiative that bridges designed to unite middle and high school music students through collaborative learning, ensemble performance, and cultural exploration. By focusing on jazz, classical, and popular music, the program empowers students to develop musical skills while also cultivating leadership, creativity, teamwork, and social awareness. Each session encourages participation, peer interaction, and self-expression through performance, improvisation, and composition. It's more than music education—it's a chance to connect, grow, and lead through music.

PROGRAM GOALS

  • Connect middle and high school music students through shared artistic experiences

  • Foster leadership and mentorship skills among students of all levels

  • Develop creativity, self-expression, and cultural understanding through music

  • Promote cooperative learning through ensemble practice and group assignments

  • Provide opportunities for public performance and community engagement

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Session 1: Kickoff & Musical Identities

Orientation, musical storytelling, mentor/mentee pairing, voluntary student performances

Session 2: The Story of Jazz

Jazz history, guided listening, improvisation warmups, 4-bar solo creation

Session 3: Swing & Improvisation Essentials

Hands-on introduction to jazz phrasing, group improvisation, and call-and-response

Session 4: Classical Traditions & Interpretation

Small ensemble study of classical music, expressive phrasing, and musical storytelling

Session 5: Modern Classical & Film Music

Creative approaches to 20th-century and cinematic music through listening and improvisation

Session 6: Popular Music & Social Change

Discussion-based workshop exploring lyrics, rhythm, and identity through modern music

Session 7: Lyric Writing & Rhythm Creation

Collaborative songwriting and beat-building workshop across styles

Session 8: Ensemble Formation & Collaboration

Mixed-grade ensembles rehearse student-selected pieces with coaching and feedback

Week 9: Composition Lab – Crafting Our Voice

Student-led creative sessions focusing on original material and group arrangements

Week 10: Performance Practice & Presence

Mock performance exercises, feedback sessions, and stage confidence activities

Week 11: Showcase Rehearsals & Tech Run

Full-class rehearsal, transitions, and performance logistics

Week 12: Final Showcase – "Our Sound, Our Story"

Public performance featuring student ensembles, soloists, and original work

STAFFING & DELIVERY

Duration: 12 weekly sessions (75–90 minutes each, after school)

  • Locations: Hosted at school or community music spaces

  • Led by: Teaching Artists from The Bass Shed Academy + Local Music Educators

  • Equipment: All instruments welcome; some gear provided as needed

Educators

  • A man with long hair and a beard playing a double bass outdoors during sunset, with power lines and hills in the background.

    Ryan Roberts

    Artistry / Leadership

    Bass Guitar / Double Bass / Improvisation

  • Close-up of a woman with long, curly red hair, green eyes, light skin, and freckles. She is wearing a necklace that says 'Hello' and a brown top, smiling softly.

    Michella Landers

    Popular Music

    Vocals

  • A young man with dark hair smiling, holding an acoustic guitar.

    Ken Song

    Jazz / Improvisation

    Guitar

  • A smiling man with dark hair, wearing a dark shirt, posing with his hands clasped in front of him against a black background.

    Yalil Guerra

    Classical / Composition / Culture

    Piano / Guitar / Percussion