Symposium “Old and New Jazz Education – Listening, Teaching, Learning, and Creating”

The Department of Culture and Music Education at the Polish University Abroad (PUNO) successfully organized the first in a series of symposia dedicated to jazz education, held on October 20, 2024, under the theme “Old and New Jazz Education – Listening, Teaching, Learning, and Creating.” The symposium brought together scholars and music practitioners from Poland and abroad, creating a space for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and discussion on contemporary challenges in jazz pedagogy.

Purpose and Themes

The aim of this event was to create a platform for discussing the evolution of jazz education, which – as noted during the presentations – requires special attention in times of dynamic technological and cultural changes. The symposium laid a solid foundation for future meetings, focusing on contemporary trends and the future of jazz teaching. The first edition concentrated on the history of jazz and jazz pedagogy, giving participants the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the origins of this musical form and the educational methods associated with it.

As the symposium organizer, Mr. Leszek Kulaszewicz (PUNO), emphasized, “Understanding the past of jazz education is crucial to effectively facing the challenges of the present and future.”

Speakers and Presentations

Among the speakers were renowned specialists from various academic centers who shared their research and experiences. They included:

• Dr. Agnieszka Szajner (PUNO): “The Pulse of Jazz: The Role of Music Education in the Intellectual and Creative Development of a Child,” discussing the specific impact of jazz education on children’s development.
• Prof. Monika Zytke (Pomeranian University in Słupsk): “The Roots of Jazz,” presenting the historical and cultural roots of jazz.
• Dr. Agata Kubiak-Kenworthy (University of West London): “When Chord Charts Fail,” addressing the theoretical challenges in teaching jazz.
• Mr. Aneta Witosz (PUNO): “The Role of Ear Training in Jazz Education. History, Present, and Future,” discussing the development of ear training methods and content.
• Dr. Marta Radwan (Brunel University London): “The Role of Harmonic Singing in Teaching the Jazz Idiom,” detailing the evolution of jazz choirs and vocal ensembles in the context of harmonic awareness among vocalists and arrangers.
• Dr. Joanna Gorczyca (Independent Researcher): “Jazz Vocalism in a Historical Perspective – Education and Aesthetics,” outlining the development of jazz vocal aesthetics.

Discussion and Conclusions

The symposium concluded with a summary presentation by Mr. Leszek Kulaszewicz (PUNO) on “Jazz Education from the So-Called Street to the So-Called Academy,” and a moderated discussion led by the distinguished jazz history specialist Dr. Grzegorz Piotrowski (University of Gdańsk). His opening and closing remarks intriguingly presented the dynamic process of professionalizing jazz education and raised many important questions about its future.

As noted in the discussion, jazz education is constantly evolving, adapting to cultural and technological changes, but it also requires a responsible and conscious approach that balances students’ creativity with a solid theoretical foundation. This symposium was an important step towards modern reflection on jazz pedagogy, with further stages to be developed in subsequent meetings planned by PUNO.

Scientific Council:

• Dr. Grzegorz Piotrowski (University of Gdańsk) – Chairman
• Dr. Agata Kubiak-Kenworthy (University of West London)
• Dr. Marta Radwan (Brunel University London)
• Dr. Joanna Gorczyca

Organizing Committee:

• Mr. Leszek Kulaszewicz (PUNO) – Chairman
• Dr. Agnieszka Szajner (PUNO)

The symposium “Old and New Jazz Education” marks the beginning of a series of debates and meetings aimed not only at deepening knowledge about jazz pedagogy but also at supporting contemporary educational practices in this dynamic field and developing useful recommendations for the future