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New Sounds. Open Minds. Big Impact.
Sound School brings students close to live music, new sounds, and artists from different musical traditions.
Through in-school residencies and a public concert, the program invites young people and the wider community to listen, move, ask questions, and experience music together.
Sound School is Rochester Public Music’s in-school residency program. Since 1990, it has brought live music experiences to local students during the school day.
Each year, a guest artist spends a week with Rochester Public Schools students, sharing new sounds, instruments, cultural traditions, and ways of making music through interactive performances.
Next Public Concert
Each Sound School residency concludes with a public concert featuring the visiting artist. These performances are open to the community and offer a chance to experience the music outside the classroom.
This fall, Sound School welcomes Dusky Waters, the project of New Orleans-based songwriter and musician Jenn Jeffers. Her contemporary Americana sound draws on gospel, folk, soul, and the musical traditions of the South.
The 2026 Sound School public concert will take place Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester. Purchase tickets here.
Featured Artists
Dusky Waters is the performing name of New Orleans-based Americana singer-songwriter Jenn Jeffers, whose music blends Southern gospel, folk, and soul traditions with contemporary pop influences. Featuring expressive vocals, intricate banjo and guitar work, and rich instrumentation, Dusky Waters and her band bring a fresh perspective to traditional American roots music. Jeffers is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of BlackAmericana Fest, a New Orleans festival celebrating Black artists in Americana, folk, and country music.
Tuvergen Band is a Mongolian folk fusion trio known for their genre-blending sound and electrifying live performances. Their music combines traditional Mongolian instruments like the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and tobshuur (two-stringed lute), overtone singing, and contemporary rock influences.
Note: 2025 included two Sound School residencies due to a programming shift from spring to fall. This transition allowed the series to better align with school-year rhythms. Sound School permanently moved to a fall schedule as of November 2025.
Founded by Jennifer Weir in 2016, TaikoArts Midwest is a Japanese drumming ensemble rooted in tradition and innovation. The group includes Enso Daiko and the TAM Edo Bayashi Ensemble and is known for its commitment to youth education and Asian cultural representation across Minnesota.
Watch highlights below:
Six Appeal is a two-time global champion a cappella group known for high-energy performances and genre-spanning vocals.
The Reminders are a hip-hop duo known for their uplifting blend of soulful sounds and conscious lyrics.
Watch highlights below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Sound School is Rochester Public Music’s in-school residency program. A visiting artist spends a week with Rochester Public Schools students, sharing live music through interactive performances and conversation.
Who participates in Sound School?
Sound School is offered in partnership with Rochester Public Schools. Student participation happens during the school day through participating schools.
How can my school participate?
Sound School is coordinated through Rochester Public Music and Rochester Public Schools. Schools interested in learning more may contact Rochester Public Music.
Is Sound School open to the public?
The in-school residency is for participating students and schools.
Each residency concludes with a public concert featuring the visiting artist. The public concert is open to everyone.
How do I attend the public concert?
The 2026 Sound School public concert features Dusky Waters on Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester.
View concert details and purchase tickets on the Dusky Waters event page.
Sound School public concerts are designed to be low-cost and accessible.
All guests need a ticket to attend, regardless of age.
Supporters & Partners
Sound School is a Rochester Public Music initiative made possible through public funding and the support of local partners. These collaborators help us broaden access, deepen the residency experience, and connect with more students through both in-school and community-based events.
Grant Support
Funding Partner
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Program Partner
Host sites for in-school residencies.
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