The decline of vocal jazz education in New Jersey’s public schools and the efforts being made to promote its resurgence

The Decline of Vocal Jazz Education in New Jersey’s Public Schools and the Efforts Being Made to Promote Its Resurgence explores possible reasons for the decline in student and teacher interest. This was accomplished through a survey of over two-hundred New Jersey high school vocal music teachers as well as interviews with several professional jazz vocalists, composers, arrangers and clinicians. The paper also offers up solutions to help stimulate, promote and cultivate a renewed interest in the art form, as well as keep it from fading. One solution would be to have higher institutions offer more vocal jazz courses for music educators. Another remedy would be to give more exposure of the genre to vocal students. In addition, I believe more support is needed from administrations for teachers to attend the annual New Jersey Jazz Conference. Administrative support is also needed in giving teachers financial support for both vocal jazz clinicians as well as purchasing necessary books and materials offered by these clinicians. This would help teachers become more acquainted with the style of the music in order to give them the confidence to teach the material.M.A.Includes bibliographical referencesby Charles W. Postas, J