Education Programs
“As students walked to their buses, they were still bopping along to the rhythms and sounds of the show.”
Thanks for your interest in having us participate in your educational program. Scott Kettner and Nation Beat have a passion for spreading our beat one student at a time and we’re happy to discuss any of these options or customize an educational experience specifically for you. Our assembly programs, family concerts, master classes and residencies are tailored to meet the needs of your institution.
The Big Beat Program (K-12)
Our K-12 educational programs take students on a journey through the music and culture of Brazil and North America. The Big Beat is an interactive program where students will explore our hybrid approach to playing traditional rhythms and songs. We engage students of all ages and focus on themes such as cousins, world culture, hybrid culture and jazz improvisation. Our hands-on workshops engage participants through call-and-response drumming, body rhythms and singing while our assembly programs seamlessly blend performance and contextual learning.
Study guides are available prior to our visit so your teachers can incorporate our material into their classroom activities.
Forte Preparatory Academy
University Residency Programs (2 Days +)
Our residency programs are designed to bring a fresh, in-depth perspective on the music of Brazil and North America and Scott Kettner’s hybrid approach to connecting these musical and cultural threads. We work with jazz ensembles, world music groups, percussion ensembles and can facilitate cross departmental collaborations with media, dance and ethnomusicology departments.
Tulane University Masterclass
University Masterclasses (2hrs)
We can accommodate your music program by conducting a 2 hour masterclass exploring the roots of our beat. Scott Kettner and members of Nation Beat can tailor this masterclass to meet the needs of your program. Percussion ensembles, jazz ensembles, world music groups and more.
Scott Kettner's Pandeiro clinic at Indiana University, 2022.
Keynote Presentation (1-2hrs)
In this interactive keynote presentation Scott Kettner will discuss the history, culture, religion and music of Maracatu de Baque Virado from Recife, Brazil. His keynote presentation will include behind the scenes photos of the religious ceremonies, the preparation for carnival and the cultural manifestations of Maracatu. The presentation will also include videos and audio examples of traditional groups performing in Brazil as well as discuss modern and hybrid manifestations linked to maracatu. Material from this keynote presentation comes from years of research that Scott Kettner conducted in Brazil for his book Maracatu for Drumset and Percussion (Hal Leonard).
“Nation Beat, the engagingly energetic band bringing this musical
warmth to an otherwise chilly, March morning invited everybody to dance and sing along to their
“Carnival Caravan” program of classic and original songs rooted in the heritages of Brazilian
maracatu and New Orleans jazz.”
University of New Haven