In June, B-Side launched the national screening program for the remarkable film about the power of music called CHOPS. As a result, CHOPS has screened at music and film festivals including Angel City Jazz Festival and the Maryland Film Festival throughout the summer. With a new school year just around the corner, B-Side has been working very closely with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s (JALC) education department to offer the CHOPS screening program to high schools across the country.

As Wynton Marsalis, musician and artistic director at JALC says, “without the commitment of educators who understand the importance of jazz and are willing to tackle its challenges, we couldn’t do what we do at the annual Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival.”

Included in a packet of Essentially Ellington materials provided to 1600 high school band directors were details about hosting a screening of CHOPS and information about creating an event that could be tailored to each school’s community. With many school districts cutting art programs completely from their curriculum, the CHOPS screening event is a perfect fundraiser, a meet-and-greet for parents, a showcase for a music program, or simply a fun way to gather the community for a night of entertainment and conversation. For more information about hosting your own screening of CHOPS click here.