Celebrate Hip-Hop & RnB

Aubrey L. • February 15, 2021

As we look at celebrating diversity, we know that music is a wonderful way to highlight the history and creativity of different cultures. For this month’s playlist, we are featuring the soulful sounds of R&B and the classic rhymes of Hip Hop. You can tune in below.

February is Black History month, and one thing that truly captures Black culture is music. The history of Black expression can often be found in art–many great writers and poets were originally African slaves (or their direct descendants), the Harlem Renaissance brought an influx of artwork of all kinds, and the Civil Rights Movement birthed a new genre of music through Motown. While R&B and Hip Hop have many roots, and the sounds of this music can be found in other genres as well, what sets these two genres apart notably is the honesty and ownership that many Black artists are able to express. Whether it’s female empowerment, the struggles of racial discrimination, love and relationships, or just a song that celebrates rhythm and dance, each artist who has contributed to this playlist has left their mark on people of all races and cultures, and we can learn a lot about Black culture by listening to their voices. Not to mention, it’s hard not to want to dance or sing along when one of these songs comes on the radio.

I’d like to note that sometimes there is language used in these songs that may be perceived a certain way by different audiences. Specifically, with Hip Hop, harsher language may be used to express the reality of the message in the song. We’ve done our best to provide ‘clean’ versions of these songs, but it’s important to understand that the purpose of explicit language is often to emphasize the rawness of the message the artist is sharing. Additionally, many artists are using the vernacular of the culture they grew up around–it is not meant to be offensive, rather, the artist is portraying more vulnerability by speaking in his or her real voice.

We hope you find this playlist both educational and fun to listen to! We had a ball putting together some of our favorite classics and plan to jam in the lobby, on Zoom, and in our cars. Get into the vibes with us!

-Written by Aubrey Lawrence
Office Manager, Sunburst School of Music

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5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.