Celebrating Mardi Gras with school music programs is a joyful and enriching experience that brings together music, culture, and fun. For jazz bands and concert bands, it’s an opportunity to explore the vibrant musical traditions of New Orleans while brightening up the dreary days of winter. As someone who has incorporated Mardi Gras celebrations into my school music program for over 20 years, I can confidently say that it’s an event students and faculty alike look forward to every year.
The Magic of Mardi Gras Music
At the heart of Mardi Gras is music—a powerful universal language that captures the spirit of celebration. New Orleans street bands are renowned for their infectious energy and rhythmic complexity. This makes Mardi Gras the perfect time to expose students to the unique sounds of jazz and brass band traditions.
In my program, I introduce students to classic New Orleans tunes like When the Saints Go Marching In; Do Whatcha Wanna and Second Line. Rehearsals are kept lighthearted but purposeful. I teach these songs by rote, ensuring students learn to listen and internalize the music. For those who prefer written notation, we provide sheet music and use marching-band-style flip folders. This approach accommodates different learning styles while maintaining the authenticity of the genre. It’s certainly a “y’all come” situation with all players and every instrument welcome, but having a couple drummers, a couple brass and saxophone players and a sousaphone really gets at the sound.
Dressing Up for the Occasion
Mardi Gras is as much about visual spectacle as it is about music. Dressing up transforms the event into a truly immersive experience. Students don beads, masks, and bright, colorful outfits that capture the essence of the celebration. Parasols, a staple of New Orleans second-line parades, add flair to the performance and give students a chance to express their creativity. These visual elements not only enhance the performance, they bring a smile to everyone who sees it.
A Morning Surprise Parade
One of my favorite parts of our Mardi Gras celebration is greeting students as they arrive at school on Mardi Gras morning. Positioned by the entrance, our jazz combo—decked out in full Mardi Gras attire—serenades the incoming students with upbeat tunes. The music fills the halls, setting a festive tone for the day and lifting spirits as everyone arrives. The surprise factor adds an element of excitement, creating a sense of community and celebration that ripples through the school.
The Carnival Atmosphere in the Classroom
The festivities continue throughout the day in the music room. I stream live footage of Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans on the smartboard, bringing a piece of the Crescent City to our school. Students are treated to king cake, a traditional Mardi Gras dessert, and “tropical storm” mocktails—a non-alcoholic twist on the classic hurricane cocktail. These elements introduce students to the culinary and cultural traditions of Mardi Gras, making the celebration a multisensory experience.
Why It Matters
Incorporating Mardi Gras into school music programs is about more than just having fun, it’s a way to educate students about the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans and the importance of jazz as an American art form. It’s also a reminder that music has the power to bring people together, even on the coldest and greyest of winter days. For students, it’s a chance to step outside their comfort zones, connect with their peers, and experience the joy of performance in a festive, low-pressure setting.
Celebrating Mardi Gras in school music programs is a tradition worth starting or continuing. With minimal preparation, it’s possible to create a day filled with music, laughter, and vibrant color. For over two decades, this annual event has been a highlight of my teaching career, and I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact it has on students and the school community. So, gather your beads, tune your instruments, and let the good times roll—Mardi Gras style!
Laissez les bon temps rouler! And joyeux Mardi Gras.
Phat Tuesday
Peter Sciaino – Excelcia Music Publishing, LLC
To quote the composer, “I was going for a New Orleans vibe … like a Dirty Dozen Brass Band sort of thing, but it went J.B. Horns [James Brown] style at some point.” That beautifully sums it up – searing horn lines and a cooking rhythm section. Written solos for tenor sax and trumpet.
Rampart Street Revival
arr. Kris Berg – C L Barnhouse Company
This New Orleans-style treatment of the popular hymn song is hip, fresh, and irresistible. Solo opportunities for alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, and trombone.
The Country Club Stomp!
JaRod Hall – FJH Music Company Inc
Experience a New Orleans vibe with this exciting, parade-inspired crowd pleaser! A celebration of music, life, and love, this piece has an infectious rhythmic groove and a spirited melody. Elements of jazz occur throughout, and there is strong reference to the West African circle dances from which this music evolved. Stellar writing that is fun, catchy, informative, spirited – and very accessible. Musicians and audiences won’t be able to get enough!
Alligator Alley
Dean Sorenson – Neil A. Kjos Music Company
This one’s a New Orleans-style chart that will have the bayou bouncing! It’s an ideal opener and a great way for young jazzers to learn about the groove. The features include flexible instrumentation, written solos, and only four wind players are needed in addition to the rhythm section. Highly recommended!
Buckjump
Andrews & Ballard/arr. John Wasson – Hal Leonard Corporation
Recorded by Trombone Shorty on his 2011 album For True and featuring the Rebirth Brass Band and 5th Ward Weebie, this hot tune has a funky New Orleans style groove with a moderate tempo and catchy riffs. The trombones get the spotlight to start with, followed by tight ensemble playing and later space for an improvised or written trombone solo. This chart is cool, confident and colorful! Highly recommended!
New Orleans Favorites
arr. Chris Sharp – C Sharp Music, Inc.
Do you ever have requests for your group to play some New Orleans music? Or maybe you simply want to introduce your students to this traditional and fun style. This accessible collection of ten favorite and authentic-sounding New Orleans tunes will have your players feeling right at home in no time! These march-size books are formatted with the ensemble parts for each tune on the left page with the corresponding written-out solos on the right page. The book size also comes in handy when using lyres. You can mix and match your instrumentation by buying individual books, or you can buy the four essential books in the clarinet, trumpet, trombone and tuba set, or you can purchase the full set which includes all eight books and full score at a thrifty price. Titles include: Back Home Again in Indiana; Basin Street Blues; Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home?; Bourbon Street Parade; Just a Closer Walk – Second Line; St. James Infirmary; That’s a-Plenty; Tiger Rag; Way Down Yonder in New Orleans and When the Saints Go Marching In. Highly recommended!
