December 2006 - volume 8 - issue 2
A Message from IAJE - Texas Unit
Ronnie Rios
I am honored and humbled to introduce myself as the 1st Executive Director of the International Association for Jazz Education-Texas Unit. With a Texas membership of over 300, our chapter continues to keep the art of jazz education and outreach in our public schools at the forefront.
Naturally, I would like to take this opportunity to officially offer our chapter's services in any or all jazz endeavors your organization may need assistance with, currently or in the future. We are ready to assist in financing, scheduling, organizing, presenting, or even presiding at conventions.
IAJE also initiates programs which nurture the understanding and appreciation of jazz and its heritage, provides leadership to educators regarding curriculum and performance and provides numerous amounts of information for students.
The Texas IAJE web site is currently under construction. After completion, it will be a tremendous resource for all to use. Please feel free to visit the site at iajetexas.org. IAJE plans to have the following information available:
- Names and contact information for clinicians, specialists, and artists in your area.
- Information on most/all Jazz Festivals in Texas that are available for you to attend.
- Articles on jazz pedagogy written by the people that are doing it right now.
- Applications/information for grants available for your jazz programs.
Please continue to do what you do with this beautiful art form in your schools. Not only do our students get twice the music education, but the activity will continue to evolve.
If there is ever anything IAJE-Texas could assist with, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ronnie Rios
Ronnie Rios is a graduate of Alice High School under the direction of Bryce Taylor. He graduated Summa Cum Laude earning a Bachelor of Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from Texas A & I. He began teaching in the Kingsville ISD where his middle school and high school bands received consistent sweepstakes awards and best in class awards at various state and national festivals. The jazz ensembles received best in class and numerous "Outstanding Band of the Festival" awards. Mr. Rios has been named to the Who's Who Among America's Teachers four times and was named Teacher of the Year in the Harlingen CISD in 2000. He has also received the Distinguished Citizen Award by the community of Harlingen and in 1996 was named Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year.
In 1997, Ronnie Rios led the Harlingen High School Jazz Ensemble to perform at the annual International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Convention in New York, with John Fedchock as guest artist. This marked the first time in history that a South Texas High School jazz ensemble reached this lofty height. While in New York, the jazz band also participated in a tribute to Duke Ellington's music with Wynton Marsalis leading the Harlingen Jazz Ensemble at Lincoln Center. The clinic was part of an instructional series that was published for music educator's nation wide. The jazz ensemble was also one of two high school jazz bands from around the world invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 2003.
The Harlingen H. S. Jazz performing groups consist of the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band II, and several student combos. Auditions for the ensembles are held in May and August. Jazz camps are held in July and include improvisation classes, sectionals, and big band rehearsals. All jazz rehearsals are held outside the school day and to this day are not a part of the school's curriculum. Students involved in the jazz program also participate in the marching band, concert band, and the mariachi band.
Mr. Rios has been named to the Who's Who Among America's Teachers four times and was named Teacher of the Year in the Harlingen CISD in 2000. He has also received the Distinguished Citizen Award by the community of Harlingen and in 1996 was named Texas Young Bandmaster of the year. Professional affiliations include TMEA, serving as Region XV Jazz Chairman; IAJE, serving as President - Texas Unit; TBA; TMEA; American Federation of Teachers; and the Phi Mu Alpha Chi Honorary Fraternity.
