Since 1974, Milton’s Jazz Program, founded and directed by Bob Sinicrope, has grown to include over 75 students involved in the study and performance of jazz in ten different jazz groups all of which meet during the school day.Down Beat magazine has twice named Milton’s Jazz Combo the best high school jazz group in the country. In the classroom, students take advantage of five different levels of jazz improvisation courses, expanding their own capabilities as they learn about the genre. Students can choose to play in over ten different jazz student groups, all of which meet during the school day.
Performing throughout the year on and off campus, Milton’s jazz combos have opened for such artists as James Taylor, Poncho Sanchez, Elvin Jones and Abdullah Ibrahim. Over the past several years, advanced jazz students have toured South Africa eight times, where Milton has a close relationship with two township groups—the Amy Biehl Foundation and the Music Academy of Gauteng. Students also visit and play at other South African schools and venues. On these tours students have delivered over $100,000 worth of donated music instruments and materials to needy South African school music programs.
The group has played extensively in Europe and throughout Canada and the United States including San Francisco, Florida and New York City. The jazz combo played at the White House on two separate occasions, performed for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, at Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s inauguration celebration, four times on the NPR radio show “Says You” and has made numerous appearances at jazz education conferences in Atlanta, Anaheim, Washington, New York, Boston and St. Louis. The Jazz Music Program offers all students the opportunity to learn about and perform jazz from an international perspective.
In 2007, Bob became the inaugural recipient of the John Laporta Jazz Educator of the Year award. In 2010, he received both a Down Beat magazine Jazz Education Achievement award and an award from the National Youth Development Council for his service with youth.
Click hereto download the "Jazz at Milton" brochure (pdf)
