The Metro Parks Music department provides recreational music opportunities to Nashville and its surrounding communities.
For more information please contact us at 615-862-8440, or email us at Music@nashville.gov.
We are located in the Centennial Performing Arts Studios in Centennial Park. Centennial Performing Arts Studios (Map image)
Summer Big Band Dances
Metro Parks Music's hosts a series of summer concerts of live Big Band music. People come to dance to swing and jazz favorites and enjoy the music. Free dance lessons are given before each event. This event is sponsored by Creative Parks Nashville and Centennial Parks Conservancy.
- See this year's Big Band Dance Schedule.
- Sign up for email notifications about Big Band Dances.
Centennial JamBands - Summercamp
Ages 8-17
Centennial JamBands is a youth music program that rehearses in Centennial Park at the Performing Arts Studios. We are always looking for talented young people, ages 8-17 that play guitar, bass, keys drums or other musical instruments. Students learn how to rehearse, listen, improvise, and play a bunch of great tunes. They even have the chance to showcase and perform their originals.
Meeting in the afternoons after school and with day camps during the summer, Centennial JamBands provides young musicians a chance to practice their craft with peers of the same age and skill level.
Sign up now for Jambands Summer Camp. June 23-27, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with a performance on Friday at 4 p.m. Open to Ages 8-17. Cost $150 for the week.
Music Programming for Adults
Picking Party with Sam Frazee
Come join Sam Frazee for a friendly, laid back, acoustic jam. Bring a song to share. All are welcome. Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Djembe 360 Drum Class
New!
After years of teaching West African drumming and wanting to do something different, Clifford Koufman created Djembe 360 to share rhythms taught to him by three of the greatest grandmasters of the djembe, Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate and Bolokada Conde. Each rhythm has its own distinct feel, and in this series, Clif will pass them down just as he learned them—preserving the structure, energy, and intention behind each groove. This isn’t just about djembe—participants will experience the full rhythm system, including three bass drum parts: Dununba (large), Sangban (medium), and Kenkeni (small)—each with bells on top—as well as signals and solo phrasing. The class will move fast and challenge everyone, offering something exciting and fresh.
Sign up for the Djembe 360 Drum Class on Eventbrite.
Bolokada Condé Workshop-April 18-20
Experience the Rhythms of West Africa with Bolokada Condé in Nashville—considered by many to be one of the greatest players and teachers of the djembe of our time. If you're in Nashville (or can get here), you do not want to miss this. Spending time with a master offers an opportunity to experience deeper layers of wisdom. Bolokada Condé is a true master of the djembe and Manding music, and what makes him extraordinary is his generosity in sharing it with anyone eager to learn. His energy, humor, and deep knowledge make every class an unforgettable experience. Sign up for Bolokada Condé on Eventbrite.
Hartman Park Band
The Hartman Park Band is a group of retirees who come together once a week to socialize and play music. Always glad to, as they say, “Make a Little Noise” with their Parks music instructor, the group has played regularly going on five years. Co-founded by Hartman Community Center manager Adrean Gregory, they practice on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rehearsals are open to new-comers and visitors.
You can also see them performing around town for special parks events and concerts. The band focuses on popular music form the last 50 years, mainly Rock n Roll, but also blues, country and some jazz. The band includes keys, guitars, drums, electric bass, and saxophones. They feature several outstanding vocalists. Some of the musicians have a lifetime of experience, playing in churches, clubs or with friends and family. However, some band members are beginners, having found a new passion in their golden years. The oldest member is in his 80’s, with the youngest being in his 40’s.