SUMNER STAYS JAZZED


When KC saxophonist Todd Wilkinson (of Boko Maru fame) took over the jazz education program at Sumner Academy in Kansas City, Kansas this fall, he found he was heir to an exceptional group: 19 students in the jazz ensemble, all of them enthusiastic, each clearly touched by jazz.

Sumner Academy Jazz Ensemble Fall 2000

Wilkinson has succeeded Paul McBride, who had a stellar career at Sumner before retiring this year. Todd himself is a well-schooled jazz educator, with years of experience in the field and a good number of hours toward a doctorate in music. Recently he spoke eloquently about the value of a music education, aside from the obvious laying of groundwork for a professional career.

"When you study music, it teaches you how to be honestly self-critical. You also get into the whole business of learning by repetition. So, when you've acquired a musical education, you can deal with any field that has structure and rules. A good music education shows students how to develop critical thinking skills, and it teaches them teamwork, including things like small-group communicating."

About jazz education in particular, Wilkinson is both eloquent and passionate.

"Without jazz education, the jazz art form is doomed. It's not just the musicians we need; we also have to have the audiences. Teaching jazz in the schools is one of the ways to do that.

"The musicians can't carry on the flame by sitting in a room and practicing. They need people to listen. And jazz education is one of the ways to provide that audience."

-- Bill Fogarty

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Amanda Harder

Meet Amanda Harder
17-year-old Amanda Harder is a senior at Sumner Academy and has been playing the trumpet for six years. Her interest in jazz has led to several awards at regional jazz festivals. After graduation next year, Amanda hopes to study sound engineering and music education at the University of Miami. In addition to her proven strengths in music, Amanda also has admirable academic priorities. She is currently enrolled in Sumner's International Baccalaureate Program.














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