Teaching School Jazz: Perspectives, Principles, and Strategies - Paperback

by West (Editor)

Written by an experienced and diverse lineup of veteran jazz educators, Teaching School Jazz presents a comprehensive approach to teaching beginning through high school-level jazz. Thoroughly grounded in the latest research, chapters are supported by case studies woven into the narrative. The book therefore provides not only a wealth of school jazz teaching strategies but also the perspectives and principles from which they are derived. The book opens with a philosophical foundation to describe the current landscape of school jazz education. Readers are introduced to two expert school jazz educators who offer differing perspectives on the subject. The book concludes with an appendix of recommended audio, visual, digital, and written resources for teaching jazz. Accompanied by a website of playing exercises and audio examples, the book is invaluable resource for pre- and in-service music educators with no prior jazz experience, as well as those who wish to expand their knowledge
of jazz performance practice and pedagogy.

Author Biography

Chad West is Associate Professor and Chair of music education at Ithaca College. Prior to his appointment, he served as a public school band director for eight years, as Associate Conductor of the Atlanta Wind Symphony, and as a trumpeter for Princess Cruise Lines. He has published over 20 music education journal articles and has edited two books with Oxford University Press. He is a frequent presenter at state, national, and international music education conferences on the topics of preservice music teacher education, popular music education, and jazz pedagogy.