Celebrate Ska
Annina D. • April 1, 2021
Diversity in Music: Ska
You might be wondering: What is
Ska? Maybe you’ve heard a song or two but are unsure how to describe it. Ska is Jamaica’s first indigenous urban pop music characterized by off-beat rhythms, a walking bassline, and more often than not, a blazing horn section! Ska eventually grew into Reggae and Rocksteady in the 1960’s - you might find that this month’s playlist is similar to our Reggae playlist from last month. Compare the two if you have the time and interest! While Ska’s roots are in Jamaica, the genre has made several international waves since the 60’s and eventually made its way into mainstream pop! Check out our Celebrate Ska Playlist and maybe you’ll find a familiar tune.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ska, checkout Skatune Network on just about any social media platform and streaming service. They compose original music, arrange covers of familiar songs, and share endlessly about the genre. You’ll also see Skatune Network featured on this month’s playlist. Their arrangements are a lot of fun! You can find them at @Skatunenetwork on all social media platforms and at Ska Tune Network on Youtube.
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.
July - Issue #95
June 2025 - Issue #94
May 2025 - Issue #93
Band Application now open for 2025 Squirrel Hill Night Market
April 2025 - Issue #92
March 2025 - Issue #91
February 2025 - Issue #90
January 2025 - Issue #89
December 2024 - Issue #88
