Jazz Studies
The University of Utah is one of the major universities that offer the Masters and Bachelor of Music degrees in jazz. It is also a member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Jazz program is well known and its performing ensembles and faculty have received many national awards and recognitions.
There are two undergraduate degrees available in the jazz area, a jazz composition emphasis and an instrumental jazz emphasis (which includes guitar and rhythm section). The undergraduate degrees offer a complete preparation for graduate music programs (theory/composition and performance), as well as for our new Master of Music in Jazz Studies. Entrance to the B.M. in Jazz Studies require an audition where the student is asked to demonstrate skill in improvisation, style, technique, and creativity, and a basic repertoire of jazz standards. Guidelines for acceptance into the Jazz Master program are available from the graduate secretary, Jill Wilson jill.wilson@utah.edu.
The objective of the program is to develop the special creative talents of the improvising artist as well as the flexible skills required of the successful jazz musician. It also provides a strong preparation in jazz composition and arranging since these areas are integrally connected with jazz performance.
For the Jazz composition degree, further emphasis on Jazz harmony, composition, arranging and orchestration is explored in private senior composition lessons. Student’s compositions are performed, recorded and analyzed. Students participate in frequent rehearsals of small jazz combos and large jazz ensembles.
The University's jazz ensembles are open to any student enrolled at the University of Utah. One is not required to be a jazz or music major in order to participate, however we are moving in the direction of having our elite number 1 ensembles comprised mainly of music majors. Auditions for the ensembles are held at the beginning of each semester. We currently have two big bands (4470-001 & 002), seven combos (4475-001), and two jazz guitar ensembles (4490 & 4491). Jazz Ensemble I (4470-001) meets MWF 10:45-11:35 AM. Jazz Ensemble II (4470-002) meets MWF 8:35-9:25 AM. Both rehearse in the band room, DGH 272.
Jazz techniques are taught in; jazz theory and improvisation, jazz fingerboard technique, jazz keyboard technique, scoring, arranging, survey of jazz (jazz history), jazz composition classes, in the various jazz ensembles, private applied lessons, and in seminars with visiting artists.
Some of our visiting artists have included; David Fathead Newman, The Heath Brothers, Brian Bromberg, Clark Terry, Thad Jones, Urbie Green, Gary Foster, Sal Nistico, Billy Taylor, Pat Williams, Oliver Nelson, Billy Byers, Joe Henderson, Bill Watrous, Joe Pass, Stefon Harris, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Billy Taylor, Eliane Elias, Freddie Hubbard, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, and many more of the most outstanding jazz clinicians and artists available in the world.
Our number one big band, combo, and guitar ensemble make annual tours to major jazz festivals in the Western part of the United States. We have won outstanding performance awards at practically every festival we participate in, and have had recent awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow Idaho, Reno Jazz Festival in Reno Nevada, and the UNC Jazz Festival in Greeley Colorado. Jazz band I has performed at the International Montreux Jazz Festival.
Jazz faculty for the 2008-2009 school year are
Jazz Studies
Denson Angulo, bass
Brian Booth, jazz sax, big band II
Tully Cathey, jazz guitar, composition & theory
David Halliday, saxophone
Keven Johansen, guitar, jazz guitar technique & survey of jazz history
Steve Keen jazz piano
Jay Lawrence jazz percussion
Geoffrey Miller, guitar, guitar ensembles, improvisation & combo coach
Donn Schaefer, trombone, jazz improvisation, jazz combos
Pat Terry jazz guitar
Dan Waldis jazz piano, jazz keyboard classes
Kelly Wallis jazz percussion
Henry Wolking, Director of Jazz Studies
Jazz composition, scoring & arranging, jazz Styles & big band I
Student Body: About 60 undergraduates and graduate jazz students.
Tuition (12 hour full time): undergraduate and graduate instate $4500/year, out of state $14000
Notable Alumni: Christoph Luty, Matt Flinner, Gawain Mathews, Jeff Campbell, Dave Chisholm, John Paulson, Jim Cutler, Bruce Fowler, Kyle Malone, Kelly Eisenhour.
Auditions: CD recordings or DVDs accepted. Live auditions are the second and fourth Saturdays in February.
Financial Aid: Available. 801 585 6972 or visit jill.wilson@utah.edu
Scholarships: Available. 801 585 6972 or visit jill.wilson@utah.edu
Application Deadline: March 1, 2009, for priority admission and scholarship consideration
Contact: Jill Wilson jill.wilson@utah.edu or Henry Wolking Henry.wolking@utah.edu.
Web site at http://www.music.utah.edu /
