Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts staged an original musical titled “The Charleston.”

February 26, 2009

180 3rd graders at the Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts staged an original musical titled “The Charleston.”  The musical was conceived and written by dance teacher, Patti Maurer, who was inspired to write the musical after hearing CJI’s Dr. Karen Chandler’s presentation on Charleston’s jazz legacy at the South Carolina Alliance for Arts Education Conference in September.  Mrs. Maurer consulted with Dr. Chandler over five months incorporating CJI research on the Jenkins Orphanage Bands and Charleston’s jazz history in her original musical.  Dr. Chandler was a special guest at the production and was joined by CJI’s Jack McCray and Tony Bell who documented the musical.