DownBeat October 1991 [antikvár]

ON THE BEAT DOWHBEAT October 199 1 Musical Self-Defense W^ by Antonio J. Garcia ^ ^M'd like to support arts education, but we must divert those dollars to practical programs that will help our kids succeed in their careers." Supporters of arts education, and particularly jazz programs, must be able to counter remarks like this with arguments that are important to administrators and parents concerned with academic excellence and the quality of their community's work force. For instance, statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and Music Educators National Conference show that, on average, ACT scores decline in schools where the number of music teachers decline. An American Music Conference study shows that academically talented high school students are twice as likely to participate in music as their classmates. Is this because brighter students thrive on music—or because music helps nurture brighter students? It makes no difference; bright students and music teachers tend to go hand in hand. Both U.S. News & World Report and Time have reported on business programs that use musical examples to illustrate the parallels between creativity and management, suggesting that "maybe you should just start listening to a little more Charlie Parker." Woody Herman leods his first clinic, of NIU in 1971 Grain's Chicago Business drew comparisons between string quartets and employee teams. The Boston Consulting Group praised Duke Ellington as a model manager, stating that "the winning organization of the future will look more like a collection of jazz ensembles." The corporate world is aware of the challenges it faces in inspiring its work force to excel. For this reason. Motorola called upon the NIU Jazz Ensemble, director Ron Modell, and myself to demonstrate parallels in creativity, risk, teamwork, leadership, and performance before 260 of its top U.S. managers. The presentation was so effective and irrefutable that Motorola had the ensemble repeat its program before more than 100 of its top international executives. Their standing ovations signify that the lessons that jazz teaches can be crucial to workers' success and innately part of music's creative experience. If cost-cutters propose raiding your program's dollars, hit 'em where they live— show them they will fee! the effect in academic performance and their community's work force. But don't forget the importance of self-expression in our students' minds, the needs for beauty and joy among our students' experiences. Talk dollars and cents, but don't forget to rekindle the positive emotional response that music brings. DB Antonio J. Garcia is coordinator of the jazz program at Northern Illinois Uruversity and was nominated by its music students for the college's 1991 Excellence In Teaching Award. A tromtwnist/ pianist/arranger, his "Partin' Shots" was released this month on the Jazz Tech Big Band's debut CD on Sea Breeze Records. DOWPEAT October 1991 - Volume 58 - No. 10 PUBLISHER Kevin Maher ASSOC. PUBLISHER Frank Alkyer MAHAoiNQ EOITOR John Ephland ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dave Heiland DESIGN Jay Crawford Design PRODUCTION MOR. Glorls Baldwin CIRCULATION MOR. Elaine Rizleris PRESIDENT Jack Maher • • • CONTRIBUTORS: Larry Birnbaum, Fred Bouchard, Michael Bourne, Tom Copi, Owen Cordle, Lauren Deulsch, John Diliberlo, Enid Färber, Leonard Feather, Mitchell Feldman. Andy Freeberg. Elaine Guregian, Frank-John Hadley, Peler Kostakis, Arl Lange. John Litweiler, Howard Mandel, John McDorwugh, Bill Milkcnvski, Paul Nalkin, Dan Ouellelle, Ben Sandmel, Gene Santoro, Mitchell Seidel. Bill Shoemaker. Jack Sohmer, Stephanie Slein, Robin Tolleson, Ron Welburn, Pete Welding. Kevin Whileltead, Josef Woodard, Scoll Yanow CORRESPONDENTS: Albany. NY. Georgia Urban; Atlanta, Dorothy Pearce: Austin. Michael Poini; Baltimore. Fred Douglass: Boston. Fred Bouchard; Bultalo, John P. Lockharl; Chicago, Jim De Jong; CirKinnati, Bob Nave: Cleveland, C. A. Colombi; Detroit, Michael G Naslos: Las Vegas. Brian Sanders; Los Angeles. Zan Stewarl; Minneapolis, Mary Snyder. Nashville. Dave Jenkins; New Orleans. Joel Simpson; Philadelphia, Russell Woessner: Phoenix. Roberl Henschen; Pillsburgh, David J. Fabilli; San Francisco, Michael Handler; Seatlle, Joseph R. Murphy, Toronto. Mark Miller; Vancouver, Vern Montgomery; Washinglon, DC. W. A. Brower; Argentina, Max Seligmann; Auslralia, Eric Myers. Brazil. Christopher Pickard; Finland, Roger Freundlich; Great Brilain, Brian Prieslley. India, Vinod Advani; Italy, Ruggero Sliassi; Jamaica, Maureen Sheridan; Japan, Shoichi Yul; Netherlands, Jaap Lüdeke; Norway. Randi Hultin, Senegambia. Oko Diaime; South Atiica. Howard Belling: Sweden. Lars Ly Siedl.