Jazz

For years Jazz has always been classified as the “poor” cousin to classical in the academics of
most University campuses. It seems that jazz also has the problem of simply fitting into the
Classical establishment that's been around for much longer. Most people do not think that jazz is
in anyway inferior to Classical...it's just that no one knows how to fit it in to the already
established Classical system in place at most institutions. As the old saying goes “people simply
fight that which they don’t understand”.

      The idea of studying such music as jazz, blues, country, rhythm and blues were totally out of
the picture when it comes to the average college curriculum. Many professors and faculty in
the Music departments would often discourage the students by indicating that jazz singing would
harm the voice. Others claimed that students will not be as educated in jazz as they would
classical music. As stated on page 9, “Many departments believed that students interested in
Jazz should leave their preferences at the port engraved with revered names: Beethoven,
Wagner and Verdi.” They also agreed that who suggest that the jazz musician who wants to earn
a college degree “ should put his jazz aside” lest his jazz compulsion deprive him of his best
efforts in “legitimate studies.  
    Most colleges treated the Jazz ensemble as a major ensemble credit like Orchestra.   There
were also smaller jazz ensembles, probably quartets, which were perhaps small ensemble
credit.   Every music education   major are required to have so many credits of a major performing
ensemble and a small ensemble.
    Sadly, in music history class the discussion about Jazz was minimal.   Although, there is a set
of four music history courses a student must take for the major, which fit into the four-year
degree.   But many students would have even taken an elective course on jazz if one had been
offered.   It is believed that having a class on jazz in... [continues]

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