JAMMS (Journalism As Music, Multimedia, and Songwriting)
Guide for Partners / Hosts
About Music in Common
Music in Common is a non-profit organization that empowers diverse cultures and faiths to discover common ground through collaborative songwriting, multimedia, and performance. Since 2005, Music in Common has directly served thousands of people in more than 250 communities across the globe, including Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews and Muslims, as well as American-born, refugee and immigrant youth. In any community, our programs can transform apprehension into trust, fear into acceptance, powerlessness into action. Working together face to face, participants expand understanding, build confidence, strengthen community, wage peace and - yes - change the world. A twenty-three minute film highlighting the history, mission, and work of Music in Common can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/158655797.
About JAMMS
JAMMS (Journalism as Music, Multimedia, and Songwriting) is an experiential learning program for diverse faiths, cultures, and ethnicities to discover common ground through dialogue and creative collaboration. Participants engage in facilitated discussion about culture, race, religion, and current events and how these influence their self-perception and their perception of others. These conversations become the foundation for the theme of the group project. Together, participants write and record a song, and produce a music video that addresses the theme they chose. Each program concludes with a performance and presentation of the song and video. Program participants gain self-confidence while strengthening skills for effective communication, group collaboration, and conflict management. To date, more than 40 JAMMS songs and videos have been written and produced throughout the U.S. and Middle East. An eleven minute film highlighting JAMMS in action can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/208521555.
JAMMS is produced in partnership with high schools, colleges, community organizations, and religious / cultural institutions, and is open to musicians and non-musicians alike. The program is lead by professional musicians, multimedia producers, and educators trained as JAMMS program facilitators. Contact us to learn how you can bring JAMMS to your school or community.
Program Details
After the dialogue portion of the program is complete, participants split into two groups: a music & songwriting group to write and record the song and a multimedia group to film and edit a music video of the song. The work of both groups intertwine.
Please note that this size but can be increased by either adding another medium (i.e. visual arts, spoken word, playwriting, etc.) or by bringing in additional facilitators. We have also had successful programs that were smaller than the preferred size, but generally eight is the minimum number of participants needed to ensure an enriching and successful experience.
Examples of sample programs might include:
The program concludes with a presentation and performance of the song and video. This event is open to the family and friends of the participants as well as the public and includes a question and answer session with participants to learn about their experience. This event should be scheduled in addition to the normal program hours.
Guidelines for Partner Organization & Hosting Venue
Partner organizations are defined as organizations that partner with Music in Common to bring the JAMMS program to their community. Hosting venues are defined as venues where the JAMMS program takes place. A partner organization and hosting venue may or may not be one and the same.
Music in Common is a non-profit organization that empowers diverse cultures and faiths to discover common ground through collaborative songwriting, multimedia, and performance. Since 2005, Music in Common has directly served thousands of people in more than 250 communities across the globe, including Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews and Muslims, as well as American-born, refugee and immigrant youth. In any community, our programs can transform apprehension into trust, fear into acceptance, powerlessness into action. Working together face to face, participants expand understanding, build confidence, strengthen community, wage peace and - yes - change the world. A twenty-three minute film highlighting the history, mission, and work of Music in Common can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/158655797.
About JAMMS
JAMMS (Journalism as Music, Multimedia, and Songwriting) is an experiential learning program for diverse faiths, cultures, and ethnicities to discover common ground through dialogue and creative collaboration. Participants engage in facilitated discussion about culture, race, religion, and current events and how these influence their self-perception and their perception of others. These conversations become the foundation for the theme of the group project. Together, participants write and record a song, and produce a music video that addresses the theme they chose. Each program concludes with a performance and presentation of the song and video. Program participants gain self-confidence while strengthening skills for effective communication, group collaboration, and conflict management. To date, more than 40 JAMMS songs and videos have been written and produced throughout the U.S. and Middle East. An eleven minute film highlighting JAMMS in action can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/208521555.
JAMMS is produced in partnership with high schools, colleges, community organizations, and religious / cultural institutions, and is open to musicians and non-musicians alike. The program is lead by professional musicians, multimedia producers, and educators trained as JAMMS program facilitators. Contact us to learn how you can bring JAMMS to your school or community.
Program Details
After the dialogue portion of the program is complete, participants split into two groups: a music & songwriting group to write and record the song and a multimedia group to film and edit a music video of the song. The work of both groups intertwine.
- Group Size: Around 15 participants is generally the best size. Once split into their groups, it leaves 7 or 8 individuals for each group. This size allows for a diversity of voices to be heard as well as a manageable and intimate collaborative process.
Please note that this size but can be increased by either adding another medium (i.e. visual arts, spoken word, playwriting, etc.) or by bringing in additional facilitators. We have also had successful programs that were smaller than the preferred size, but generally eight is the minimum number of participants needed to ensure an enriching and successful experience.
- Participant Age: The most common population we work with are high school and college aged youth, however the age range of program participants can be expanded upward. Programs can be run multi-generationally or within any age range.
- Participant Expertise: The program is open to everyone regardless of their experience or skill with music and multimedia. We believe that everyone is intrinsically musical and creative, and while prior knowledge in music and film is welcomed, it is not necessary to be able to attend. Anyone interested must complete an online registration form prior to the start of the program in order to be considered for participation.
- Duration of Program: The program is scalable from 25 - 50 hours. The length is determined by logistics, program goals, and funding. Program days should be no less than 4 hours and no more than 8 hours per day.
Examples of sample programs might include:
- Three days in a row, 8 hour sessions each day (for example on a long weekend)
- Five days a week, 4-8 hour sessions each day
- Two back to back weekends, 4-8 hour sessions each Saturday and Sunday
The program concludes with a presentation and performance of the song and video. This event is open to the family and friends of the participants as well as the public and includes a question and answer session with participants to learn about their experience. This event should be scheduled in addition to the normal program hours.
- Cost of Program: While the program is typically offered tuition free to participants, the cost to run the program is $2,000 per 8-hour program day for two facilitators. While we will sometimes seek partnerships with industry professionals such as a local recording studios, the program runs independently and can be completed by Music in Common staff on site, including the finished audio and video projects. Our program facilitators are trained in our methodology and experienced in leading both the dialogue and creative components of the program. We invite and encourage hosting venues and organizational partners to provide staff that will not only assist us but also receive valuable training in our pedagogy. Funding can often be offset through local grants or sponsors and we are glad to discuss these opportunities in detail.
- Program Rules: With the exception of religious / cultural observances and personal emergencies, 100% attendance is required of every program participant. Music in Common staff must be notified of any known scheduling conflicts via the online registration form which may serve as grounds for non-acceptance into the program. Participants who miss any part of the program without prior approval may be asked to withdraw. Cell phone use is not allowed during program hours except on breaks or when being used for the program project. Participants should bring pen, paper, and their musical instruments to the program.
- Follow Up: The program is most effective when there is regular follow up for participants to continue to engage with one another after the program ends. We urge partnering organizations to play a proactive role in this continued programming. We set up private Facebook and Messenger groups for each program, which keeps participants in touch with one another via social media. We also work with hosting partners to organize regular meet-ups where participants come together in person. These meet-ups can include performance opportunities, master classes, and something as simple as a pizza party jam session. We work closely with the hosting partner to plan and implement these ideas.
Guidelines for Partner Organization & Hosting Venue
Partner organizations are defined as organizations that partner with Music in Common to bring the JAMMS program to their community. Hosting venues are defined as venues where the JAMMS program takes place. A partner organization and hosting venue may or may not be one and the same.
- Partner organizations and hosting venues should be familiar and well aligned with the mission of Music in Common and the JAMMS program.
- The partner organization works on the ground on behalf of Music in Common, overseeing all logistics and serving as the MIC liaison.
- The partner organization will recruit hosting venues to host the program. These may include houses of worship, cultural organizations, educational institutions, community or art centers, and other similar venues.
- The ideal venue is comprised of two workspaces: one larger space that can comfortably accommodate 20 people and one smaller space that can comfortably accommodate 10 people. Quiet spaces with good acoustics are desirable. The following items are needed:
- Large white board, smart board, chalkboard, or easel & paper with dry erase markers or chalk and eraser.
- Projector, screen, and speakers or large screen TV
- Easy access to electrical outlets
- Tables & chairs
- Wireless internet
- The partner organization or hosting venue will provide at least one staff person (fluent in English when outside the U.S.) to be on site and assist MIC staff with the program logistics as needed.
- The partner organization is relied upon to oversee the recruitment of program participants. This includes promotion via the internet, press releases, flyers, word of mouth, and other local and regional outlets. Music in Common will provide all marketing materials to partner organization.
- The partner organization will work with Music in Common to recruit local facilitators to assist our staff with running the programs. The programs serve as on the job training for local facilitators to learn how to run the program on their own. There are typically two facilitators on the tour.
- The partner organization will arrange for and provide all transportation, meals, and lodging for MIC staff for the duration of the program.
- All travel logistics should be discussed between the partner organization and MIC staff before finalizing.
- The partner organization will provide snacks, drinks, and lunch each program day for all participants and staff.
- For international program tours, the partner organization will provide a staff member or volunteer fluent in English to accompany MIC staff for the duration of the tour if requested.
- All international programs are conducted in English. Selected participants must have strong English skills.
