JamHub class rooms are in schools all over the world.
Kids are playing more music, and teachers are excited about the new possibilities in their classrooms. We’ve captured a few of these stories to get your wheels turning about introducing JamHub class rooms in your school.
Roberto Clemente Middle School, Maryland
R
andi Levy, a middle school music teacher at Roberto Clemente Middle School started a rock music curriculum and instruments at her school a few years ago. Her curriculum includes the history of modern music and “rock” instrument lessons like electric guitar, drums, and bass. Since Randi’s rock classes were introduced, there has been a waiting list for kids eager to play rock music.
Some of the biggest obstacles with the rock music classes were finding enough spaces for her students to play together while simultaneously giving her the opportunity to continuously teach the kids. Before JamHubs, Randi had kids playing in her band room, the hallway, and a small classroom. With the introduction of JamHubs to her program, she is now able to have two bands playing simultaneously in her band room, while her other students are able to continue with their classes. Randi is also able to better determine how the kids are progressing and where they need additional help. Randi envisions a “silent classroom” where kids can play together throughout the day.
Duffryn High School, Wales
Dan Jones of Mix Music Education has introduced “JamPods” into primary, secondary and universities throughout the UK. With a unique wiring system, JamPods allow one teacher to monitor and talk to up to twelve separate bands all rehearsing in the same space. At Duffryn High School in Newport, Wales, there are 12 jam studios setup in one room. Students learn as bands while also receiving individual instructions throughout the session. The students learn to perform as a group quickly and enjoy the social aspects of frequently playing together. And, the teachers easily record the teaching sessions so that kids get immediate feedback both from their teachers, and by listening to themselves.
Jam Camp at Rick's Music, Massachusetts
Jam camps are popping up all over the world. Some jam camps have themes – like Aerosmith week or the Beatles week, others focus on the music that their students want to play. Whatever the form, kids (and adults) love jam camps because they get to play in a band.
Rick’s Music in Attleboro, Massachusetts offers both individual lessons, in-store rock band ensembles, and jam camps. Rick’s jam camps end with a concert for the students’ families and fans. With the addition of JamHubs, the hours for the camps have been extended, the students can focus on their own music making, and the teachers can give feedback more easily to individual students, without stopping the band. Listen to Rick Santos and his team talk about JamHubs.
Red Cliffs Secondary College, Australia
Red Cliffs Secondary College is a six-year public school located in Victoria, Australia. Red Cliffs has a focus on arts education with 100+ kids enrolled in their instrumental music program. Their music classes use JamHubs both for focused instrument lessons like a drum class with four connected drummers through the JamHub, band ensembles, and song writing classes. JamHub has made it possible for them to expand the enrollment in their music program, improved the students’ focus on their music, and made it easier for teachers to evaluate student’s participation.
“Using the JamHubs we've increased our space from three to seven places. We've been able to allow more kids to rehearse at lunch time and recess which has then fed our program overall...the song writing unit is great because they can all communicate via the JamHub. It's good for them to be able to share ideas with each other but also see each other working...It's good for the teacher because we can look around the room and see whose working and whose not and how they interact... It is quite amazing how the JamHub just puts it all together."
After School "Rock Club", Massachusetts
After school programs for middle school and high school kids are often challenged with keeping the kids engaged and interested in coming back. The Music and Youth sponsored program at the Lawrence, Massachusetts YMCA has a focus on reaching kids with an interest in music. This after school program provides the kids with music lessons in guitar, bass, drums, and keys – and encourages budding musicians to write and produce their music. It’s a great place for the kids to play music together, connect with their peers around their passion for music, and develop their musical capabilities. With space limitations and neighboring classes concerned about noise levels, the kids were restricted in the amount of time that their bands could play together. In Fall 2010, the Music Clubhouse dedicated a small part of their space for a JamHub studio. Now these student bands can play together throughout the afternoon without being hassled by others.
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Red Cliffs Secondary College is a six-year public school located in Victoria, Australia. Red Cliffs has a focus on arts education with 100+ kids enrolled in their instrumental music program. Their music classes use JamHubs both for focused instrument lessons like a drum class with four connected drummers through the JamHub, band ensembles, and song writing classes. JamHub has made it possible for them to expand the enrollment in their music program, improved the students’ focus on their music, and made it easier for teachers to evaluate student’s participation. 
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