school assemblies > American history and heritage

For Ages: K-8

Max Group: 300

Price:  $385 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $190 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

*New* The American Vernacular: The Art of Jazz and Tap
Jt Nolan and Friends

This assembly explores the art of Jazz music and Tap dancing. Though both forms are a fusion of European and African music and dance, each are considered to be integral and unique to the American experience and are two of the few things we can truly call American. The band “The Lovely and Talented” will perform music, dance and tell the story of how both art forms evolved and eventually came together in the clubs of New York City during the height of improvisation in the 1940’s. Performances will be informative, interactive, multicultural and fun. 

For Ages: K-8

Max Group: 300

Price:  $385 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $190 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

Music of the Civil War

Liz Masterson and Rex Rideout

Moving chronologically through the four years of the Civil War, this program traces history through rally songs, minstrel show songs, songs of praise, songs of lamentation, songs of the slaves and even humorous songs. The performance contains historical commentary on the songs, a few short yarns, and the use of fiddle, banjo, and guitar. Performed in Civil War Period costumes!

For Ages: Grades 4-8

Max Group: 250

Price: $400 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

          $200 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day
 

This presentation starts with Irish music and dance and then demonstrates how it changed and grew to become the traditional music and dance of our American culture. Deb Carstensen, on fiddle, will play Irish tunes and show how they became the "old timey" music we know and love. Ken Horwege, Irish step dancer and leader of the Hoofin High Country Cloggers, will follow suit with the dances. At the end, the students will be encouraged to join in on a dance that fits both the Irish Ceilis and the traditional American barn dances.
For Ages: K-8

Max Group: 300

Price:  $385 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $190 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

A Child With Many Names: True Stories from the Orphan Train

Susan Kaplan

This living history program brings history alive through story and song. Did you know that 150,000 children rode trains across the United States and were placed into new homes from 1854-1929? Hear true stories of these children and learn about this almost forgotten time in American History. Stories from Orphan Train Survivors, including three from Colorado, are woven with historical information and music to create a living history program. Nice collaborative program to work with School Librarian and classroom teachers to connect Colorado History, Literacy and Social Studies. Follow-up literacy activities and bibliography available. In preparing for History Day projects, this is an excellent example of how to integrate personal story with historical research to bring history alive!
For Ages: Grades 4 - 12

Max Group: Flexible

Price:  $300 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $190 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

(Assembly with musician:  $400 base + 10 cents per student for 1st assembly; $200 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day)