Jazz Education Network at the 2008 Midwest Band & Orchestra Conference Monday, December 22, 2008
Ben and Mary Jo
The cold, Chicago winter wind was blowing outside the Palmer House but you would never know it sitting inside the hotel ballroom last Friday afternoon. The exciting vibe of the first membership forums of the Jazz Education Network warmed the meetings taking place under the leadership of JEN president, Mary Jo Papich.
Mary Jo took the opportunity to introduce the dozens of people who have been instrumental in the birth of JEN and passed the mike to several people including jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer, Kahil El’Zabar. His truly inspiring message stressing the incredible importance of jazz education in today’s society was moving to all who heard it.
The interest and motivation of members was obvious given the number and tone of questions asked at the forum. Seasoned educators, performers and industry members were side by side with people new to the cause of jazz education. Papich solicited ideas from the audience to be discussed and considered by the board. Discussion at the meeting included the new JEN website, adroitly designed and maintained by Steve Crissinger of 12-Point Graphics, the organization’s official publication JazzEd and the possibility of future JEN Conventions.
Stanton’s Sheet Music is proud to be a Charter Corporate Member of JEN and is pleased to have Jazz Education Consultant, Ben Huntoon on the JEN “Network with an Expert” panel. Stanton’s Sheet Music is also pleased to host the website for the Jazz Education Connection of Ohio.