During the past twenty years I have been very fortunate in that I was offered the opportunity to develop a jazz studies curriculum that was aimed at the "the changing student," the diverse population at Chabot College and the different needs of individual students. I have tried to fuse the history, literature and performance aspects of the curriculum into a comprehensive educational structure designed to enhance the musical lives of my students whether they become the performer or the perceiver. The fact that Chabot College is the only community college in the Bay Area to have had three full jazz bands, the jazz piano course and full "day time" jazz studies opportunities is testimony, I believe to the effectiveness of my teaching goals.

I strongly believe in a teaching style that emphasizes levity in an atmosphere of relaxation and although I use a fairly straightforward syllabus, I remain flexible, i.e., teaching in more or less "real time", thereby allowing for what I consider enhanced learning - We learn, then we move on. I try to spend as much time as I can with my students and feel very strongly that their education goes far beyond the parameters of the classroom or class hour, even if it means one-on-one teaching at times convenient to my students.

During my tenure at Chabot College I have constantly offered my personal services as well as the Jazz Bands services for numerous functions sponsored by the school. The bands and I have performed for flex days, retirement functions, award dinners and even the rededicating of the swimming pool. We have also been very active in the community. The band has performed for Chamber of Commerce functions, city government functions and for various service clubs in the area, including Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary. Our services have been requested by St. Rose Hospital and Eden Hospital to perform for benefits and fund-raisers.

I am proud of the fact the Chabot Advanced Jazz Band and Evening Jazz Band were invited to visit Japan in 1989 and 1990 in an exchange program for the Japanese Jazz Foundation. These tours were highly successful and a marvelous adventure for the students. In 1994 a Japanese Jazz Band from Osaka continued this exchange by performing with the Chabot College Jazz Band.

The three Chabot jazz bands annually attended four to five Jazz Festivals throughout the school year. Some were educational (non-competitive) and some were totally competitive with clinics at the completion of performance. We always received command performance or superior ratings at all festivals.

My publications include a three volume Jazz Piano book (now available with a CD) recognized by the International Associations of Jazz Educators and adopted by many colleges and universities throughout the United States. I have written several articles for jazz magazines including Keyboard, California Music Educators Association, International Association of Jazz Educators and "Downbeat." In 1996 I edited my three books into one.

In 1991 the East Bay Theater Critics presented me with an award for "Best Music Director" for my conducting efforts in the Chabot Production of "Good News." I have been chosen to conduct numerous honor symphonic and jazz bands by school districts throughout the Bay Area and was one of fourteen jazz educators selected from the United States to participate in a special Australian Jazz Education tour, teaching and performing in Sydney and Melbourne.

As a professionally performing musician, I try to remain current in literature, style and technical ability and I continue to be active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. My attendance at clinics and conferences throughout the school year has allowed me to maintain and upgrade my teaching skills in order to offer the best quality education that I can for my students.

-Frank Sumares

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