Jazz Education Update
From Jazz Notes (Published by the Twin Cities Jazz Society)
Dr. John Zimmerman
The International Association for Jazz Education Convention held last month in New York City was tremendously energizing. Many educators and students join IAJE for the experience of the International Conference and/or for the wealth of information contained in the monthly magazine. The goal of the Minnesota Unit of IAJE is to provide additional service to educators and students which promotes an appreciation of jazz, provides leadership to educators regarding curricula and performance, and assists teachers and performers with information and resources.
Over the past five months, Minnesota Unit board members of IAJE have been working closely together to define a mission that ensures the continued growth and development of jazz and jazz education in Minnesota.
We have embarked on a number of initiatives that will prove beneficial for our jazz community. We have created a Minnesota Unit Resource Team that is available to assist music teachers and students when they have questions in the field of jazz. Please feel free to contact these professional jazz musicians and teachers by e-mail if you have a question regarding your teaching or playing:
Dean Sorenson www.deansorensonmusic.com ensemble & improvisation materials
Dr. David Milne david.a.l.milne@uwrf.edu woodwinds
Vicki Mountain vickymountain@att.net vocal jazz
Tom Lewis tlewis@millcityweb.com acoustic and electric bass
Mary Louise Knutson mlk@marylouiseknutson.com piano
Kelly Rossum krossum@aol.com trumpet
Jeff Rinear info@increasemusic.com trombone and low brass
Dr. Rich MacDonald rmacdhold@winona.edu drumset
Dr. Dave Hagedorn hagedord@stolaf.edu. percussion and mallet percussion
Additionally, we have created a Minnesota Unit website, www.iajemn.org , where teachers and students can directly link to the Resource Team, access our newsletter and board meeting minutes, and find out about the other activities and events that our unit is sponsoring. This year’s board consists of: Dr. Doug Snapp, Past-President; Dr. John Zimmerman, President; Sarah Minette, President-Elect; Greg Keel, Vice-President; Kent Jurgenson, Treasurer; and Eric Songer, Secretary.
On a final note, I encourage jazz enthusiasts of all ages to attend the IAJE Annual Conference, which features over 100 performances within a three-day period. Contact iaje.org for more information on next year’s conference that will return to New York City.
Dr. John Zimmerman is serving the Minnesota Unit of IAJE as President and is Director of Bands at Apple Valley High School.