While traditional subjects such as math, English and science are essential to a student's education, it is sometimes necessary to teach students about the arts. With the Mineola School District's upcoming Jazz Residency, students will learn about the musical expression of jazz and they will do so in a grand fashion.

As part of the Mineola Performing and Fine Arts program, the Jerry Weldon Jazz Quintet will visit each of the schools in the Mineola School District to perform and hold workshops.

District director of performing and fine arts Rob Ratner feels that it is important for students during the course of their academic careers to hear and experience live music. Also, the program is district-wide, which means all students from kindergarten to 12th grade will experience an American tradition.

"Jazz is American music. It truly is an American art form. It's very important for students to hear jazz music," said Ratner

On the elementary school level, the Jerry Weldon Jazz Quintet will perform for each of the schools and also teach students the key elements of the music as well as touch upon the different styles and their influences.

The quintet will then perform at the Mineola Middle School and then hold performance workshops where pointers will be given to the members of the Mineola Middle School Jazz Band.

At Mineola High School, the quintet will also perform and hold improvisational workshops with the Mineola High School Jazz Band. The program culminates with District Jazz Night, which will be held on Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mineola High School Auditorium. Admission is free.

During Jazz Night, the Jerry Weldon Jazz Quintet, a five-member band comprised of world class musicians, will team with the Mineola Middle School and Mineola High School Jazz Bands for an evening of music. The middle and high school bands will perform one half of the concert and the quintet will perform the other half.

For Jerry Weldon, performing in Mineola represents a homecoming of sorts. He graduated from Mineola High School in 1976 and also attended the Meadow Drive School. Since then Weldon has been the sax soloist for Lionel Hampton and Harry Connick Jr.

While the quintet may be comprised of expert musicians, the members of the Mineola Jazz Bands of no slouches either. "Our jazz bands are terrific. There's a lot of enthusiasm to play this kind of music," Ratner said.

The Jazz Residency has proven to be a successful program in each of Ratner's 15 years in the district. It gives the district an opportunity to teach students about jazz music while also helping to meet the New York state standards for the arts.

Ratner suggests that students and parents alike should take advantage of the experience. While the audience is comprised of parents of students who are playing in the jazz bands, it is also a good idea for elementary school students to come to the performance with their parents. "Jazz works very well with the kids. It's exciting," said Ratner. "Jazz has many different styles that appeal to students. The music is fun."

On January 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mineola High School Auditorium, the fun will begin as students, parents and residents of the community will be treated to a bundle of emotion and enthusiasm wrapped up in a valuable educational experience.