[TPIN] Listening and learning about music

[Steve Evans]

----- Original Message ----
From: Rich Szabo rich at richszabo.com


In my travels doing clinics and concerts, I can't tell you how many 
jazz band directors never even heard of Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, 
Clark Terry, Stan Kenton, Count Basie..... 
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This problem has 2 roots: 1. the teacher mills 2. the teachers themselves
 
If University X cranks out music educators without requiring a jazz education course or without putting together a worthwhile jazz education course, then how can we expect those future music educators to teach jazz? Yet every high school (or most every school) has a jazz band. So you have a teacher who was maybe a bassoon major with no clue about jazz thrust into a teaching situation they have no hope of pulling off.
 
What does the teacher do? 
 
Well, if they're a good one, even a bassoon major :), they'll study and they'll listen and they'll talk to the local jazz musicians and they'll get help. Unfortunately, most of them will say, "I'm a music educator, by darn, so I'll just teach these kids jazz the way I see it!" The good educators will know when they're in over their heads and look for help. Too many teachers never believe getting in over their heads is even a remote possibility. They have a degree from University X, therefore they are an expert in all forms of music education.
 
The same argument applies to the University X professors who are thrust into teaching that required jazz course! It starts with education and that starts with educating the educators.
 
...Steve


 
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