SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The Deedle Deedle Dees offer a variety of school programs that use live performances, songwriting workshops, instrument play-alongs, group singing tutorials, and movement games to teach students about music, history, science, math, and literature.


ASSEMBLIES

Most of our school assemblies feature two of the four Deedle Deedle Dees, Ulysses S. Dee (Lloyd Miller) and Booker Dee (Chris Johnson). We both sing and trade off on a variety of instruments including acoustic and electric guitar, upright and electric bass, ukulele, banjo, keyboard, and piano.

We offer two pre-made assembly programs as well as a "make-your-own" option:

Music & Movement

A program for pre-K through second grade featuring songs designed to get the kids up and moving. Clapping, snapping, marching, role play, and more. A mixture of original tunes like "Vegetarian T-Rex" and "Play Your Hand" with classic songs like "King Kong Kitchie," and "You Are My Sunshine." Kids also learn about different types of instruments (e.g., acoustic and electric guitar, upright and electric bass, piano, banjo, ukulele, harmonica) and musical styles (rock-n-roll, hip hop, folk, country).

American History Through Music

A program for third - sixth graders (can go younger if you feel kids are ready for the subject matter). Kids learn about unsung and overlooked figures in American history including Satchel Paige, Fannie Lou Hamer, Nellie Bly, Henry Box Brown, C�sar Ch�vez, and other important people who receive very brief or no mention in school textbooks. Lots of movement related to the songs, but also quiz games, call-and-response singing, and other activities that reinforce the academic content of the presentation. Follow-up classroom materials available for teachers.

Make-Your-Own Assembly

With enough advance notice, we can create an original assembly around a theme of your choosing. For example, if your school is studying the history of Brooklyn, we can build a whole musical show featuring songs about the borough's history ( the Battle of Brooklyn, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers...)

COSTS

Our basic school rate is $700 + travel for two back-to-back assemblies, but we are willing to work with any budget on a sliding scale. We love school shows and if you want to have us, we'll figure out a way to get there and perform for you.

RESIDENCIES

In addition to our one-day programs, we also offer multi-week residencies leading up to a performance at your school or a public venue. For example, this year we did a show with a fourth-grade class at the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University that was developed as part of one of these residencies. Lloyd (Ulysses S. Dee) worked with the students for two months and wrote a brand-new collection of 10 songs based on New Jersey history. At the Kasser Theater show, the class dressed in full historical costumes and performed their original songs with all four of the Deedle Deedle Dees. It was awesome!

If you are interested in a longer-term project like this, contact Lloyd at 917-873-0685 or [email protected]. The price of these programs varies based on the number of sessions, the length of the project, and what the final presentation will be.

For more information about our current school programs and background info on our songs, visit our blog for teachers and parents: www.teachddd.blogspot.com.

To read more about Lloyd and the band, check out these articles at Zooglobble, the popular kids music blog.