When Downbeat magazine announced its 38th annual Student Music Awards (SMA’s) in its June 2015 edition it had this to say about Bart:

“We also want to salute another Hall of Famer, Bart Marantz, director of jazz studies at Dallas’ Booker T. Washington HSPVA. Bart is retiring after 32 years of teaching the next generation of jazz, a lineage that includes Roy Hargrove and Norah Jones, both winners of multiple SMAs. The students at Booker T. sent Bart out in style with six more SMAs this year, making it 245 awards in his 32 years. That’s the record for one institution.”

WHAT TEACHING MEANS TO ME...

There is a debate over whether it is truly possible to "teach" jazz, an art form that at its core relies on self-expression and improvisation. So, I like to consider myself more of a "coach" to young artists who are committed and dedicated to this music we call jazz. I believe that all music is a gift from Our Creator, and that we are all born "singing", so I accept this role of "music teacher" as a mission and a privilege; an opportunity to share my thoughts, knowledge, enthusiasm and love for jazz with younger artists who will then carry the music forward, retaining its integrity and promoting its longevity. My philosophy of teaching is to not only instruct, but to model an "every day" kind of work ethic that my students will need to emulate if they desire to fulfill their dreams and aspirations for a music industry career. Coming early and staying late to work, demonstrating enthusiasm for jazz music and the musicians who perform and teach it, modeling dedication, determination and discipline by doing proper advance planning, timely execution of ideas, programs, concerts, gigs, trips, festival and award entries, college auditions, and recordings - these are ways to "teach" these young artists how to succeed in life. Even incorporating humor into the learning process is an important element I use....like telling jokes and offering extra credit if they laugh!! I also think it is my role to keep current with jazz happenings, networking and maintaining associations with jazz leaders and programs around the country. Knowing what's "out there" in regards to college jazz programs and national events, such as festivals, jazz camps, jazz institutes, and awards, is vital to being able to offer helpful advice and direction for future study and opportunities for scholarship aid. Maintaining an active performance schedule locally is also a vital part of educating in the "performing" arts arena. These "gigs" connect our students with their community and provide incentive and motivation to develop excellence in performing - both personally on their own instruments, as well as collectively, as an ensemble. I feel impelled to help these young artists develop good business acumen, as well, and have instituted music business classes to teach them how to do gig sheets, contracts, business cards, bios, web-site development, and press kits. I have had students at BTWHSPVA who have become leaders in our industry, and I am very proud of their accomplishments. But, I am just as proud of those who have used their acquired skills to go into a completely different line of work, employing a good work ethic, high standards, and a use of their creativity to solve problems and invent solutions. I am equally thrilled with the hundreds of young musicians who may not be industry "stars", but who nonetheless are involved in all facets of the music world, from performance, to composition and arranging, to teaching, to film scoring, and so many other musical endeavors, and are doing so with a daily walk of practice and continued commitment to this wonderful art form. Giving praise when due, promoting their successes, both while they are still students at BTW and also long after they are out on their own, I have sought to encourage high standards, both for their own personal aims (properly attired, prepared and on time!), as well as for their musical desires (excellence in playing their instrument, knowledge of their genre of music, ensemble and leadership skills). The wonderful successes of my students have been the force behind this "teaching" career that I have been so blessed to have for half of my life now. They have given me such personal fulfillment in their friendship and trust, and knowing them has produced a wonderful walk for me, in addition to a life of learning from these same students, who, at the time, didn't know that they were "teaching" the teacher.

-- Bart Marantz