THE JAZZ EDUCATOR’S HANDBOOK and More Guides for Directors Thursday, August 28, 2025
recommended by Ken Tilger and Austin Swack, Band Education Specialists
The Jazz Educator’s Handbook by Jeff Jarvis and Doug Beach
The second edition of “The Jazz Educator’s Handbook” has been revised and updated by co-authors Doug Beach and Jeff Jarvis. First published in 2002 this new edition has been streamlined and modernized for the contemporary classroom. Whether you are a veteran jazz educator or a band director with minimal jazz experience this resource offers field-tested strategies to help you offer the best possible training for your students. In addition to the many printed music examples in the book there are over 150 MP3 audio recordings that complement the text available for download.
Jazz Pedagogy: The Jazz Educator’s Handbook and Resource Guide by J. Richard Dumnscomb and Dr. Willie L. Hill, Jr.
Here is a comprehensive guide that opens the doors to the world of jazz education. Written by internationally recognized and successful jazz educators who are experienced at teaching jazz to elementary, middle school, high school and college students as well as to teachers and administrators. You will find realistic and practical solutions to challenges such as the jazz concept, understanding the rhythm section, jazz improvisation and jazz styles, including a great section on Latin jazz. Uniquely innovative, this one-of-a-kind handbook incorporates the web as an ongoing resource tool that provides the ultimate in reference information. The attached DVD presents audio/video demonstrations of rehearsal techniques, how to really teach jazz improvisation and how to understand and improve the rhythm section.
Rehearsing the Jazz Band by Mary Jo Papich and Ryan Adamsons
This book provides one huge room where everyone can gather to ask questions on the art of rehearsing and listen to answers from people who know. It includes chapters by Caleb Chapman, John Clayton, José Antonio Diaz, Curtis Gaesser, Antonio Garcia, Gordon Goodwin, Roosevelt Griffin III, Sherrie Maricle, Ellen Rowe, Roxanne Stevenson, Steve Wiest, and Greg Yasinitsky. Includes suggested jazz charts from each author.
Excellence in Jazz Pedagogy Volume 1: Jazz Ensemble Auditions & Repertoire Selection by Dean Sorenson
“Excellence in Jazz Pedagogy” is a series of short, targeted publications by renowned jazz educator, composer, and performer Dean Sorenson. Each book in this collection focuses on specific topics important to anyone teaching or studying jazz.
Use the books in the series as:
• reference guides for the working music educator.
• supplements to instrumental techniques and methods courses that are a part of music education degree programs.
• stand-alone texts for undergraduate or graduate level jazz pedagogy courses.
• introductions to jazz topics for students studying privately.
• refreshers for seasoned jazz professionals.
In “Volume 1: Jazz Ensemble Auditions and Repertoire Selection,” the author takes a look at the reasons for teaching jazz in school music programs, the rationale behind the grading of jazz materials, and some of the basics to starting a jazz ensemble program – in particular holding auditions and selecting repertoire. Included with each book is online access to correlated duplicable resources in the Kjos Multimedia Library.
Excellence in Jazz Pedagogy Volume 2: Jazz Ensemble Rhythm Section by Dean Sorenson
In “Volume 2: Jazz Ensemble Rhythm Section,” the author takes a look at the jazz ensemble rhythm section – the engine that powers band. Leading a jazz ensemble successfully requires not only a basic knowledge of each rhythm section instrument and notation used for that instrument, but also a thorough understanding of how to dissect and perfect the rhythm section sound and groove. This book will address those needs in a comprehensive yet concise manner. Included with each book is online access to correlated duplicable resources in the Kjos Multimedia Library.
Excellence in Jazz Pedagogy Volume 3: Jazz Theory Concepts & Practical Applications by Dean Sorenson
“Excellence in Jazz Pedagogy, Volume 3” focuses on fundamental jazz theory concepts and practical applications for both performance and teaching situations. Understanding the unique elements of jazz theory is particularly important to any jazz ensemble director, especially those working with younger or more inexperienced players. It is valuable knowledge to have when interpreting scores, working with the rhythm section, and helping soloists with improvisation. Theoretical understanding is even more critical for those wishing to compose or arrange for any type of jazz ensemble – large or small.
Topics in this volume include:
• chord construction, notation, and voicing
• polychords
• chord extensions and alterations
• modes of the major scale
• modes of the melodic minor scale
• non-modal scales
• chord/scale relationships
• tonal harmony
• substitute chords
• modal harmony
• common song forms
• practical applications of jazz theory to improvisation and rhythm section performance
Teaching Music Through Performance in Jazz for Beginning Ensembles by Ronald Carter, Roosevelt Griffin, Ben Huntoon, Brian Logan, Rob Parton, Willis Rapp, and Dean Sorenson
With this volume, the celebrated Teaching Music through Performance series is available for the first time for leaders of beginning jazz ensembles. This edition pairs practical perspectives from world-class jazz educators and performers – who specialize in working with beginning ensembles – together with Teacher Resource Guides for more than 60 of the best jazz charts published for beginning ensembles.
Part II: Conductor as Teacher focuses on the best jazz repertoire published today for beginning ensembles and provides a Teacher Resource Guide for each work. Each Teacher Resource Guide includes background information on both the composer and the history of each chart, technical and stylistic considerations, a discussion of musical elements of the work, and measure-by-measure rehearsal tips for the best jazz repertoire tailored for beginning ensembles. The repertoire covers Grade 1 through Grade 3.5.
This book is a truly significant resource for both beginning jazz educators and their students, and an invaluable contribution to the field.
Teaching Music Through Performance in Jazz Volume 1 by Ronald Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Ronald C. McCurdy, Ronald Modell, and Reginald Thomas
“Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz” continues in the best tradition of the Teaching Music series, bringing together insights from top jazz educators and invaluable analysis of the best repertoire published for jazz ensembles of all skill levels.
This book is the ideal tool for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the preeminent music for jazz ensembles by seminal jazz composers.
In addition, leading jazz educators and musicians contribute chapters on topics such as: “Why Teach Jazz?” by Wynton Marsalis; “A Multi-Cultural Approach to Jazz Education” by Ronald Carter; “Rehearsal Techniques: A Holistic Approach Integrating Composition, Improvisation, Theory, and Cultural Considerations in the Rehearsal” by Ron McCurdy; “The Rhythm Section: The Band within the Band” by Reginald Thomas; and “Promoting a High School Jazz Band” by Ron Modell.
In addition, this book includes Teacher Resource Guides to more than 65 of the top jazz charts, broken down into developing, intermediate, and advanced categories. Each Teacher Resource Guide includes vital information on the composer, the composition, historical background, technical requirements, stylistic considerations, musical elements, form and structure, listening suggestions, and additional references.
“Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz” is an essential resource for jazz leaders at all levels and is a major contribution to the jazz field.
Teaching Music Through Performance in Jazz Volume 2 by Randy Brecker, Ronald Carter, Robert Knatt, Thara J. Memory, and Rodney Whitaker
“Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz, Volume 2” is the much-anticipated successor to the acclaimed first book in this series, providing insights of today’s top jazz educators and performers as well as invaluable analyses of the best repertoire published for jazz ensembles, from developing to advanced levels.
Central to this volume are the Teacher Resource Guides for 100 of the top jazz charts for developing, intermediate, and advanced ensembles.
Each Teacher Resource Guide provides detailed background information on the chart’s composer and its historical perspective, plus technical and stylistic considerations, a discussion of musical elements, and a measure-by-measure description of the form and structure of each piece. These Teacher Resource Guides provide deep insights for jazz leaders looking to identify and prepare works for ensembles of all sizes and experience levels.
“Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz, Volume 2” is a major contribution for jazz educators and leaders. This volume is an essential tool to enhance your teaching and your students’ understanding of jazz.
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About the Authors:
A former band director, Ken taught grades 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in Central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, outdoor activities (especially hiking), and watching hockey.
Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!