Friday, May 17, 1968
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
19
Jazz courses cause conflict
By Bob Butler Kansan Staff Reporter Last in a series
The undercover conflict in the School of Fine Arts over the legitimacy of jazz can ultimately be boiled down to a difference of opinion.
On one side are those faculty members and students who feel a University-sponsored jazz program is necessary to a well-rounded musical education. On the other side is the administration of Thomas Gorton, dean of the School of Fine Arts.
It is true that neither the dean nor the Fine Arts Administrative Council has been approached with the idea of initiating a jazz program. The primary reason for this can be traced to the council's refusal two years ago to allow the KU Kicks Band, an extra-curricular jazz organization of KU students, to practice in Murphy Hall
As one faculty member put it,
"When you are stopped in an attempt to just get the KU Kicks Band started you don't even try to initiate a jazz program."
"It has always seemed to me that there is a place for jazz in higher education," Gorton said in a telephone interview Wednesday, "but it is a community sort of thing. I think it should be studied in a place like New York where there are job opportunities for people who study it."
The principal argument against this is that most KU Fine Arts graduates teach or become studio musicians and therefore need a jazz background.
One instructor said, "Right now' about six of 10 Kansas high schools have stage or lab bands and the band director leads them,
Former KU minister to get grant
The former director of KU's Wesley Foundation is one of 42 campus ministers to receive the Danforth Campus Ministry Grant for 1968-69.
The Rev. Donovan Hull, who directed the foundation from 1960-1966, is working on his doctorate at Garrett Theological Seminary in Chicago.
The Danforth grant allows for an academic year of graduate study with the stipend arranged according to the candidate's salary and number of dependents, with an annual maximum grant of $6,000 plus tuition and fees.
Changes for entry exams are proposed
A recommendation concerning the requirement of nationally administered testing programs for entrance to KU has been made by the placement committee, Max Fuller, assistant director of admissions, said Wednesday.
Fuller declined to say exactly what recommendation has been made because Chancellor Wescoe is out of town and has not seen the committee's report.
- the American College Test (ACT):
- the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) and its achievement test:
- to retain the present system of testing consisting of a university administered battery of seven tests.
- the CEEB and its verbal and math tests;
Any change in the present placement testing system would not become effective until the fall semester of 1969, Fuller said.
but if he comes from KU he knows little about what he is doing. After all, you have to know something about the subject you're supposed to be teaching."
Another argument, presented by Richard Wright, president of Musicians Local 512, points out that if the availability of jazz-oriented jobs is a prerequisite for giving jazz courses at KU, Kansas City offers a great opportunity for jazz musicians, having been one of the birthplaces of jazz.
Gorton states his philosophy in this way: "I think any musician needs basic training in the traditional skills, such as a proficiency in voice or on a musical instrument, knowledge of harmony and an understanding of the various classical forms. It takes time to develop these."
The arguments presented by the supporters of a jazz program in opposition to the dean's statements are that most of these basics are taught in the first four semesters of the school. Why, they ask, is there no jazz option for
juniors and seniors who wish to study it?
Perhaps the closest a University-sponsored musical group has come to openly performing jazz compositions was the Brass Choir's 1964 tour of the Far East. The State Department, which sponsored the trip, insisted the choir perform jazz works, since the group was representing the United States where jazz is regarded as "the" truly American musical idiom. Since that time Kenneth Bloomquist, director of the Brass Choir, has given a few concerts which included jazz works.
"Nobody else tries to get away with it, though," one student said.
Ony else tries to get away with it, though," one student said. "What we must realize is that jazz is not a lower form of music, but a different form," a faculty member reflected. "I wouldn't say Dean Gorton isn't hardworking or that he is a lax administrator—that isn't true. But we do have a strong difference of opinion here, and we can only hope that it will be successfully worked out."
"UP UP AND QUIT YOUR BOOKS"
Megan Rucker, a true romantic, seeks knowledge by observing nature while her father tries the more conventional method, studying. Her father is Marc Rucker, graduate student in anthropology.
Sidney Poitier
laughing and loving in the new romantic comedy...
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SCREENPLAY BY ROBERT ALAN AURTHUR PRODUced by EDGAR J. SCHERICK and JAY WESTON
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DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEPH COFFEY MUSIC QUINCY JONES FROM
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