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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- Want to learn to play jazz from some of the best?

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation announces a major expansion of its music education programs to include free classes for kids who have never studied music and who don’t own instruments.

For the first time, the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music will host classes for first-time learners – kids who have never had the opportunity to study music.

The organization is also lowering the eligible age to participate from 10 to 8. And – for the first time -instruments will be provided.

New classes for beginners will be held on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center starting Nov. 8. Applications are being accepted through Nov. 2.

Classes will not be limited to students who lack instruments. Kids who own an instrument but have had less than one year of instruction may sign up to attend the Tuesday HSM BEGINNER classes, which will be open to kids between the ages of 8 and 17.

Instruments taught include piano, drums, bass, guitar, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute and saxophone.

Voice classes are not taught. Those interested in singing are encouraged to apply for our beginner piano classes.

To apply, parents or guardians of eligible students must complete this online application form by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Prospective students and their parents or guardians will be invited for an interview to determine their eligibility.

If all available spots in the program are not filled after the interviews, we will add new students on an ongoing basis.

Since 1990, the Heritage School of Music has been the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s principal education program. It provides free music instruction for kids from throughout the greater New Orleans region, with classes on Thursdays and Saturdays taught my some of New Orleans’ best jazz musicians. The Heritage School currently serves more than 100 students each week.

For most of its history, the Heritage School operated as a guest on the campuses of local universities and other schools.

When the Jazz & Heritage Foundation opened its new state-of-the-art education and community facility, the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, the Heritage School took up residence in its first-ever permanent home.