We think of teaching as involving a plan, a set structure of lessons to complete. But for the PUBLIQuartet, teaching is all about improvisation. They teach musicians to respond and engage with the room, sometimes abandoning the plan altogether. Following your intuition puts the emphasis on process rather than product—and that’s where the real learning happens.

Theme Music

“Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool” written by Duke Ellington and Laura Rembert
Sony/ATV Harmony (ASCAP) / Music Sales Corporation (ASCAP) o/b/o itself and Tempo Music
Performed by Sean Jones and NYO Jazz

PUBLIQuartet Episode

“At the Purchaser’s Option” written by Rhiannon Giddens and Joseph Edward Ryan
Children of Llyr (BMI) / BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP) o/b/o itself and Joey Ryan Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Performed by PUBLIQuartet

“Ballad” written by Hamilton Berry
Performed by PUBLIQuartet

“Mind the Gap: What is American? IV Pt. 1” arranged and performed by PUBLIQuartet

“Voodoo Dolls” written by Jessie Montgomery
NYC Music Services a/a/f Jessie Montgomery Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Performed by PUBLIQuartet

“Quartet, Op. 22” written by Anton Von Webern
Universal Edition AG / European American Music Distributors Corporation
By arrangement with Concord
Performed by Jennifer Frautschi, Christopher Oldfather, Daniel Goble, Michael Lowenstern
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

“Mind the Gap: What is American? ii” arranged and performed by PUBLIQuartet

How do you teach students to read music? For Margaret Jenks, it’s about teaching them that they already know how to. Jenks roots her teaching in attention: noticing rhythm, noticing patterns, noticing absence, and most importantly, noticing each other. The best teachers do not work from a checklist—rather, they teach intention and intentional listening. They guide students toward a greater awareness of the world.

Theme Music

“Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool” written by Duke Ellington and Laura Rembert
Sony/ATV Harmony (ASCAP) / Music Sales Corporation (ASCAP) o/b/o itself and Tempo Music
Performed by Sean Jones and NYO Jazz

Margaret Jenks Episode

“Groovin’ Hard” written by Don Menza
Croma Music (ASCAP)
Performed by Jazz Express

“Fuzzy Caterpillar Song” written by Patty Zeitlin
Bullfrog Ballades (ASCAP) / Budde Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

“Little Snowflake” written by Troy McDonald and Devon Charles Thagard
WC Music Corp. (ASCAP) o/b/o Skyship Music Limited

Everyone is an artist, and everyone can use music to express themselves. But for some, such expression is hard. It’s incredibly vulnerable to create music and reveal something so personal. But Emily Eagen emphasizes that this intimacy is to be celebrated. By weaving it into her own instruction, Emily demonstrates how intimacy is what gives music all its power.

Theme Music

“Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool” written by Duke Ellington and Laura Rembert
Sony/ATV Harmony (ASCAP) / Music Sales Corporation (ASCAP) o/b/o itself and Tempo Music
Performed by Sean Jones and NYO Jazz

Emily Eagen Episode

“Where is Love?” written by Lionel Bart
Hollis Music, Inc. (BMI)
Performed by Sam Robson
https://www.youtube.com/samrobson

“Anne” from Anne of Green Gables written and conducted by Hagood Hardy
Cymba Music o/b/o Big Bay Music Publishing (SOCAN)
Recording courtesy of Chapter 2 Productions, Inc. o/b/o Isis Records Ltd.

“I Never Will Marry” written by A.P. Carter
Peer International Corporation (BMI)