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In 2000, the Institute launched this innovative Internet-based jazz curriculum (www.jazzinamerica.org) designed to be taught in every 5th, 8th, and 11th grade public school American history and social studies classroom in the United States. The curriculum examines the evolution of jazz styles, contributions of important performers, and musical techniques involved in the creation and performance of jazz. The program’s public school touring component has directly reached more than 200,000 students and teachers through assembly programs and master classes led by renowned jazz artists including Antonio Hart, Lisa Henry, T.S. Monk, Vanessa Rubin, and Bobby Watson. The curriculum already has reached millions of students around the world over the past decade.
Jazz is recognized around the world for its rich cultural heritage that is rooted in the African-American experience. It is widely considered to be the only truly American musical art form. Yet, most Americans graduate from high school without any knowledge of the history or importance of jazz. In order to provide an ongoing education about jazz for our nation's students, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has developed Jazz in America: The National Jazz Curriculum. Located on the Web at www.jazzinamerica.org, this Internet-based jazz curriculum is available to every 5th, 8th, and 11th grade public school social studies and American history classroom in the United States. This is the first jazz curriculum to use current Internet technology and be offered free of charge on a national basis. It also represents the most significant and potentially wide-reaching jazz/social studies education program ever undertaken by an arts organization.
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