Fine Arts High School

Interlochen Center for the Arts

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Interlochen Center for the Arts

Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Studies Department P.O. Box 199 Interlochen, MI   49643 Ph:  (231) 276-7200 Website:   http://www.interlochen.org/academy/ Jazz Director:  Bill Sears, Coordinator of Jazz Studies http://www.interlochen.org/academy/faculty/music_3?expand=23 Ph:  (231) 276-7894 e-Mail:  searswa@interlochen.org

Saxophonist Bill Sears has served as the director of jazz studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy since 1987.  Sears came to Interlochen from the Chicago area where he led an active career as a freelance musician and teacher at the American Conservatory of Music.  He has toured the U.S. and Europe with the Ray Charles band (1986) and shared the stage with many jazz luminaries including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Art Farmer, Geoff Keezer, Rick Margitza, and saxophonist Bill Evans. As an active performer, Bill has two recent recordings, "Chasin’ The Goal" with Margitza joining his quintet, and "With One Accord", his latest CD featuring his current 7-piece group, the Arts Center Jazz Collective.  Each CD features his engaging saxophone along with several original compositions.  Showing respect for the heritage of the tenor saxophone, Sears encompasses the entire spectrum of the instrument's tradition, from lush ballads reminiscent of the great swing and bebop masters to the searing intensity of today's music.  Sears is a performing artist/clinician for the Selmer Corporation in Elkhart, IN.

  Faculty:   http://www.interlochen.org/academy/faculty/music_3

Bands:  Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo The 17-member Jazz Ensemble is the flagship performing band in the jazz program.  This stellar unit is considered one of the finest high school jazz ensembles in the country while earning numerous awards, including several "db" awards from Downbeat magazine.  It was chosen as a finalist at the 1998 and 2003 Essentially Ellington Competition held at Lincoln Center. The Jazz Combo features 6-8 of the more experienced and advanced musicians in the program.  The band provides opportunities for musicians to develop improvisational skills to their highest potential.  Both bands have performed in Arizona, California, New York, Chicago, and throughout Michigan.

Profile: Interlochen Arts Academy, the nation's first and foremost boarding fine arts high school, unites students with others who value their highest aspirations, creating a close-knit artist community. Four-hundred fifty of the world's most talented and motivated young artists study music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing and motion picture arts in a college-like setting.  They find in the Academy a fast-paced, creative environment that challenges, inspires and focuses their talents.  While producing more than 250 artistic presentations in the school year, Academy students also master a rigorous college-preparatory academic curriculum that prepares them to take prominent roles in a whole universe of professional endeavors. 450+ students 300+ faculty and staff 40+ states and 15+ countries represented 38 Presidential Scholars, more than any other school 250+ presentations Dozens of guest artist master classes annually 1,200-acre wooded campus with educational, recreational and performance facilities Since 1987 the jazz program has expanded to include two levels of jazz improvisation, a daily jazz history class, and one combo in addition to the award-winning 17-piece jazz ensemble. The department is recognized as one of the top jazz programs in the country.  During the past 15 years it has earned Downbeat magazine's "db" award 11 times.  The jazz ensemble has twice been named a finalist at the Essentially Ellington Competition held at Lincoln Center (1998, 2003). Alumni of the program can be found at all of the top jazz conservatories and universities, and many are leading active professional careers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami and other major cities.  Distinguished IAA alumni holding professional jazz credentials include saxophonist Bob Mintzer, composer-pianist-bassist Chris Brubeck, drummer Dan Brubeck, violinist Regina Carter, drummer Peter Erskine, vocalist Cedric Dent, drummer Clarence Penn, trumpeter Byron Stripling, trumpeter Allen Vizzutti, trumpeter Walter White, singer Norah Jones, and trombonist Bruce Paulson.

Awards: Interlochen Center for the Arts Receives National Medal of Arts ** President George W. Bush Honors 10 Recipients ** ** in White House Ceremony ** Washington, D.C. - President George W. Bush honored recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Arts on Thursday, November 9.  Ten medals were presented by the President and Mrs. Laura Bush in an Oval Office ceremony at the White House.  The National Endowment for the Arts manages the National Medal of Arts nomination process and notified the artists of their selection to receive a medal, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence. "These individuals and organizations have all made enduring contributions to the artistic life of our nation," said National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia. "Whether by translating the masterpieces of Latin American literature or bringing genius to the design of everyday objects or simply preserving the great musical heritage of New Orleans, their work has enriched our national culture." The 2006 National Medal of Arts Recipients: William Bolcom, classical composer, Ann Arbor, MI Cyd Charisse, dancer, Los Angeles, CA Roy R. DeCarava, photographer, Brooklyn, NY Wilhelmina Holladay, arts patron, Washington, DC Interlochen Center for the Arts, school of fine arts, Interlochen, MI Erich Kunzel, conductor, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati, OH Preservation Hall Jazz Band, jazz ensemble, New Orleans, LA Gregory Rabassa, literary translator, Brooklyn, NY Viktor Schreckengost, industrial designer/sculptor, Cleveland, OH Dr. Ralph Stanley, bluegrass musician, Coeburn, VA

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush stand with recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Arts in the Oval Office Thursday, Nov., 9, 2006. Pictured from left,: Ben Jaffe and his mother Sandra Jaffe, director and co-founder of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Literary Translator Gregory Rabassa; Dancer Cyd Charisse; Photographer Roy DeCarava; Industrial Designer Viktor Schreckengost; Musician Dr. Ralph Stanley; Arts patron Wilhelmina Holladay; Composer William Bolcom; Interlochen Center for the Arts CEO Jeffrey Kimpton; and NEA Chairman Dana Gola.  White House photo by Paul Morse

The National Endowment for the Arts gratefully acknowledges The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for its support of the 2006 National Medal of Arts. Established by Congress in 1984, the National Medal of Arts is awarded to individuals or groups who, in the President's judgment, are deserving of special recognition for outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States. Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts receives nominations for the award from across the country. The National Council on the Arts, the Endowment's advisory body, reviews the nominations and provides recommendations to the President, who selects the recipients. The process is secret, and Interlochen was not aware that it was under consideration. In announcing the selection, the National Endowment for the Arts recognized Interlochen both for the extraordinary contributions the organization has made over its 79-year history and for the dynamic initiatives of the past few years that are keeping Interlochen on the cutting edge of arts education today and into the future. Founded in 1927 as the National High School Orchestra Camp, the institution soon became known simply as "Interlochen" and quickly increased in scope to include other arts disciplines and programs. From an unlikely location in the woods of northern Michigan emerged a growing cultural and arts community with national influence. Today Interlochen also encompasses the country's first boarding high school in the arts, a public radio network, a year-round arts festival, an elementary and middle school, and an expanding adult education program. Nearly 90,000 artists have learned and been inspired at Interlochen and hundreds of thousands more are engaged annually. In a press release statement Interlochen President Jeffrey Kimpton proclaimed, "It is not an overstatement to say that Interlochen has played a key role in the developent of high quality music and art programs in public schools throughout the entire country. In 1928, Interlochen was a pioneer in the area of arts education. Today, the cross-pollination of arts that can only be found here continues to attract some of the most talented and dynamic artists from around the country. After eighty years, we are still on the leading edge of arts education." Interlochen Center for the Arts continues to innovate to meet the changing needs of the arts community. In 2005, Interlochen established an interdisciplinary high school film program, which draws on the wide range of talent that already exists at Interlochen; theatre students appear in the films; writing students work on screenplays; music students create original scores and visual artists work on the sets. In October, the new film program moved into the new Aaron and Helen L. DeRoy Center for Film studies, a 26,000 square foot facility, which incorporates living space, classrooms, editing rooms and a screening room. It is the only building of its kind in the country, dedicated to teaching the art of film to high school students. In the last three years, Interlochen has also expanded its offerings for adult education programs. "We are most well-known for inspiring young artists, but adults continue to seek high quality creative opportunities and need the arts just as much as our youth. Our College of Creative Arts gives adults of all ages many opportunities to fine-tune their skills in an arts discipline - or to explore an entirely new one," said Kimpton.  Programs have included guitar, New Horizons band, adult band camp, chamber music, early music, painting, photography and writing seminars. Other programs are continually being added. Very few arts education organizations have ever been recognized with the National Medal of Arts. Kimpton expressed his hopes that the award will advance opportunities for arts education for everyone. "At this place where art lives so vibrantly, we bring art into the lives of so many people. As we move forward, Interlochen will carry on its tradition of being a leader in the arts by continuing to innovate and promote the availability of arts programs for everyone - at Interlochen and everywhere."

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Band:   Albion Jazz Ensemble

Bands:   Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo Jazz Orchestra - Michael Gillan, Director The Jazz Orchestra rehearses and performs pieces in various styles and from various periods in jazz and big-band developments.  Improvisation is taught and emphasized in performance.  Membership is by audition. Jazz Combo - Michael Gillan, Coach Membership in the Jazz Combo program is by audition. The instrumentation varies according to the number of students available. Groups in the past have been anything from the traditional 3 horns & rhythm section, to a quartet consisting of vibes, cello, bass, drums. Music varies from published charts, to the Real Book, to original compositions of the students. Each combo meets once a week for 1 hour. Performances include, once each semester at the School of Music (Fall and Spring Jazz Night), once a month at the GRCC school library, outside gigs at the Van Andel Arena, and other private functions.

Bands:  Large Jazz Ensemble, Small Jazz Ensembles http://www.gvsu.edu/music/index.cfm?id=13954B6C-B01E-FA1F-50BC3435C445AB84 Large Jazz Ensemble The group performs both traditional and contemporary jazz music, including new works composed especially for the jazz program.  It's featured at concerts, dances, on tours, and at jazz festivals.  Open to music majors and non-majors. Audition required. Small Jazz Ensembles The group focuses on mastery of tunes from the jazz repertoire.  Emphasis is on improvisation and arranging using lead sheets and original compositions.  Jazz Improvisation Seminar The student unit meets as a performing ensemble with emphasis and instruction on various approaches to jazz improvisation.

Bands:   Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos Hope offers performing opportunities in both big band and combo settings as well as a vocal jazz workshop.  The ensembles are open to all students, regardless of academic major or prior jazz experience, and placement is determined by audition.

Bands:   K College Jazz Band

Faculty:  http://www.kzoo.edu/music/index.php?page1=faculty.html

Jazz Events:  http://www.kzoo.edu/music/ ,  http://www.kzoo.edu/music/jazz/

Lansing Community College
Humanities & Performing Arts Department
Arts and Sciences Building, Room 255
419 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI  48933 
Ph:  517-483-1018

Web Site:  http://www.lcc.edu/hums/music/index.htm

Jazz Director:  Michael Nealon, Lead Faculty Music
Ph:  517-483-1507
e-Mail:   nealonm@lcc.edu

Bands:   LCC Jazz Ensemble

Faculty:  http://www.lcc.edu/hums/music/staff/

Jazz Events:  http://www.lcc.edu/hums/events/index.htm

Bands:  Jazz Ensembles: two big bands, three octets, multiple jazz combos Web Site:  http://www.music.msu.edu/academic/degrees/jazzstudies.php#student, http://www.music.msu.edu/ensembles/jazz.php

Faculty Ensemble:  MSU Professors of Jazz The MSU Professors of Jazz are a jazz group established and maintained through the Jazz Studies area at Michigan State University.  Each member is a professional jazz musician and a member of the Jazz Studies faculty at MSU.  The hard-swinging group performs music from the Jazz Canon, including Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and original compositions.  Members have performed at national and international venues and clubs, and continue to perform locally to support Michigan jazz presenters and educators. Web Site:  http://www.music.msu.edu/faculty/ensembles_professors.php?faculty_ensembles_professors

Bands:   Jazz Ensemble, Steelheads Percussion Ensemble [James Coviak - Steelheads Director] http://www.mcc.edu/steelheads/index.shtml The Steelheads are a percussion ensemble and steel band composed of students from Mott Middle College High School, Mott Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint. The steel band curriculum was created at Mott Middle College — a program operated by Genesee Intermediate School District — as an instrumental music alternative for students disengaged from the traditional learning environment. Students who advance through the high school program have the opportunity to audition for the Steelheads. The Steelheads are college and professional level musicians. They perform 40 to 50 events per year in the community and throughout the state. Since 1997, this award winning group has performed in over a dozen major venues across North America and Europe. The ensemble is consistently recognized with top honors for musical excellence. Faculty:   http://www.mcc.edu/cgi-bin/ deptcontacts.cgi?pagename=Fine Jazz Events:   http://www.mcc.edu/3_academics/fa_ca lendar.shtml For 2009-10 performances contact the Fine Arts Office Phone: (810) 762-0459 Email: Debbie.Killian@mcc.edu

Spring Arbor University
106 E. Main St.
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
Ph:  800-968-9103

Web Site:   http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=9037, http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=15448

Jazz Director:    Mark Garberich, Assistant Professor of Music
Ph:  517-750-6497
e-Mail:  markg@arbor.edu

Bands:   Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo

Faculty:  http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=15488

Jazz Events:   http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=15468

Jazz Director:   Ellen Rowe, Professor & Chair, Associate Professor of Jazz Piano & Improvisation Studies Ph:  734-647-6297  e-Mail:  elrowe@umich.edu

Bands:   Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab I, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Creative Arts Orchestra Jazz Ensemble, Ellen Rowe, Director In addition to regular performances on campus, the University of  Michigan Jazz Ensemble has recorded two CDs, toured in Europe and performed at jazz festivals and clubs throughout the Midwest.  They have been featured at the Detroit International Jazz Festival's Main Stage performing student and faculty compositions including a premiere of a work by Jazz Department chair Ed Sarath that featured guest artists Michael Brecker and David Liebman.  Recent performances include the 2003 International Association for Jazz Education Conference with guests Gerald Wilson and Renee Rosnes, and the San Jose Jazz Festival.  This 20-member big-band ensemble draws from the top jazz musicians on campus and focuses on compositions from the last thirty years. Jazz Lab Ensemble, Dennis Wilson, Director A traditional big-band jazz ensemble, this group focuses on historical repertoire from musicians such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Thad Jones.  Through frequent performances on campus and off, the ensemble explores the rich history of jazz and the big-band repertoire. Creative Arts Orchestra, Ed Sarath, Director The Creative Arts Orchestra is one of the few ensembles of its kind in the world of contemporary music.  A large improvising ensemble, the group was founded in 1992 by Professor Ed Sarath to reflect the eclectic and global trends that increasingly characterize our musical landscape.  Membership ranges from 15 to 30 and has included  musicians of all instrumental categories, dancers, actors and poets.  The ensemble performs and tours regularly including recent appearances at New York's Knitting Factory with Gregg Bendian as featured soloist, and the Bowery Poetry Club with guest artist Oliver Lake.  While part of the ensemble's programming includes compositions of students and faculty, the group most commonly performs entirely  improvised concerts with no parameters set forth in advance. Small Jazz Combos, Geri Allen, Coordinator With weekly coaching from faculty members, students play in small groups of various configurations, allowing optimum playing time and arranging opportunities for each student.  Small Jazz Ensembles give students the opportunity to explore various tradition-based approaches to improvisation through compositional form, while the Jazz Combos focus on standard and classic repertoire, including open-ended forms emphasizing collective improvisation as the point of departure.  Students are encouraged to contribute their own compositions as a  vehicle for developing their personal voices. Faculty:   http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/jazz_improv/index.htm , http://www.music.umich.edu/ faculty_staff/index_dept.lasso

Department of Music 4841 Cass Ave., Rm. 1353 Old Main Detroit, Michigan 48202 Ph:  313-577-1795 e-Mail:  music@wayne.edu Web Site:  http://www.music.wayne.edu/jazz.php, http://www.music.wayne.edu/ Jazz Director:  Christopher Collins, Professor of Music, Director of Jazz Studies Ph:  313-577-1780 e-Mail:  jazz@wayne.edu Bands:   Jazz Lab I Big Band, Jazz Lab II Big Band, Jazz Lab III Big Band, Jazztets and Jazz Combos, Jazz Guitar Ensemble I, Jazz Guitar Ensemble II Jazz Lab I Big Band (closed to jazz studies/performance majors only) Contact: Professor Christopher Collins, Director Jazz Lab Band I, WSU's elite big band, performs a wide range of traditional and contemporary repertoire. It has played to enthusiastic audiences at the Montreux, Switzerland Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz Festival, The Michigan Jazz Festival, and numerous other public and private venues. This award winning ensemble is the premiere performance ensemble in Wayne State's Jazz Division. Students study, explore, rehearse and subsequently perform classic jazz, big band, improvisational, and contemporary repertoire. Additionally, this ensemble is responsible for rehearsing student arrangements/compositions and performing at the demanding Jazz graduation recitals. Jazz Lab II Big Band (open to all university students; requires audition) Contact: Professor Russ Miller, Director Office: 2310, Old Main Phone: (313) 577-9467 e-Mail:  ac5188@wayne.edu Jazz Lab Band II, the second big band, offers its members playing experience and an introduction to jazz literature.  Performs on campus twice a year. Jazz Lab III Big Band (open to all university students and community musicians) Contact: Ernest Rodgers, Director e-Mail:  ad9394@wayne.edu Jazz Band III divides into small ensembles, giving students a chance to work on solo and improvisational skills.  Performs on campus twice a year. Jazztets and Jazz Combos Contact: Dennis J. Tini, Director e-Mail:  aa5272@wayne.edu Phone: (313) 577-2545 Jazz Guitar Ensemble I, Jazz Guitar Ensemble II Contact: Steven Carryer, Director Office: 2368, Old Main Phone: (313) 577-3268 e-Mail:  scarryer@wowway.com The Wayne State Jazz Guitar Ensembles first began during the winter 1990 semester. Starting with one ensemble and growing to three within a year, the ensembles provide a much needed developmental tool for the students. The first ensemble began using charts from the library that Mr. Carryer wrote and compiled while teaching a guitar ensemble at Oakland University for nearly 15 years. He has continued to expand the library to its current size of over 150 charts in a variety of styles. In addition to the biannual campus concerts of all three ensembles, Guitar Ensemble I has also performed 4 times at the Aquinas Jazz Festival and performs occasional concerts off campus. They also performed at the Plymouth Music in the Park series and at the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Faculty:  http://www.music.wayne.edu/faculty_profiles.php Jazz Events:    http://www.events.wayne.edu/music/?view=all

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Western Michigan University
School of Music
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI    49008-5434
Ph:  269-387-4667

Web Site:   http://www.wmich.edu/music/

Jazz Studies:  http://www.wmich.edu/jazzstudies/

Jazz Director:  Thomas Knific (1987), Double Bass, Jazz e-Mail:  thomas.knific@wmich.edu Adept as both a classical and jazz musician, Knific has been principal bassist of orchestras in the United States, Latin America, and Europe.  He has performed as soloist and in chamber music festivals in Europe, Canada, and the United States.  As a jazz musician he has appeared throughout Europe, Central and South America, Asia, Canada, and the United States, including the Aspen festival, and the International Society of Bassists Conference.  Knific has toured and recorded with Dave Brubeck, Randy Brecker, Art Farmer, Billy Hart, Gene Bertoncini, Harvey Mason, John Abercrombie, Toots Thielemans, Eric Marienthal, Kenny Werner, and others.  He has taught at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan State University, and the Cleveland Institute; he also has given over 100 master classes world wide.  His recordings span the Universal, Mercury, Polonia, Koch International, SMF, Jazzheads, New Albany, and Sea Breeze labels. His students perform in orchestras on three continents and have toured with major jazz artists including John Scofield and Betty Carter.  Knific is president-elect of the International Society of Bassists. Bands:   Gold Company, GCII, University Jazz Orchestra, University Jazz Lab Band       Gold Company Vocal Ensemble Stephen Zegree, Director, Gold Company Ph:  269-387-4689 http://wmugoldcompany.com A student ensemble specializing in vocal jazz. The varied repertoire includes every style from jazz standards to Broadway to the hits of today. Gold Company presents an exciting, energetic, dynamic show for all people and all occasions. Specialty acts and choreography are included. A very active performance schedule is maintained in Michigan and other states. Membership is open to all university students by audition. Two sections are available. Michael Wheaton, Director, Gold Company II Ph:  269-387-4689 An student ensemble specializing in vocal jazz. The varied repertoire includes every style from jazz standards to Broadway to the hits of today. Specialty acts and choreography are included. GC II participates in major vocal jazz productions on campus in conjunction with Gold Company. Scott Cowan, Director, University Jazz Orchestra Ph:  269-387-3904 The Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to the well-prepared performance of big band charts where careful attention is given to style and detail. Literature includes both traditional and contemporary jazz works, and the ensemble is also available for the reading and performance of student compositions and arrangements. An active campus and off-campus performance schedule is maintained with extensive touring. Membership is open to all University students by audition. Trent Kynaston, Tom Knific, Directors, University Jazz Lab Band Contact: Trent Kynaston, Ph:  269-387-4693 Contact: Tom Knific, Ph:  269-387-4710 The Jazz Lab Band is dedicated to the well-prepared performance of big band charts where careful attention is given to style and detail. Literature includes both traditional and contemporary jazz works, and the ensemble is also available for the reading and performance of student compositions and arrangements. An active campus and off-campus performance schedule is maintained. Membership is open to all University students by audition. Faculty Ensemble:  Western Jazz Quartet Trent Kynaston, saxophone Steve Zegree, piano Tim Froncek, drums Tom Knific, bass The Western Jazz Quartet melds the talent, experience, passion and professionalism of four gifted musicians whose artistic vision and performance have garnered international acclaim. The group's unique ability to blend culture, education and aesthetics demonstrates multifaceted versatility that energizes and tantalizes contemporaries and audiences alike. Web Site:  http://www.tomknific.com/wjq2/ Primary Contact: Tom Knific  e-Mail:  knific@wmich.edu Faculty:  http://www.wmich.edu/jazz-studies/ Tom Knific (Chair) - Bass John Campos - Recording Technology Scott Cowan - Brass Trent Kynaston - Saxophone Robert Ricci - Composition, Theory, Jazz History Diana Spradling - Jazz Voice Stephen Zegree - Piano, Vocal Jazz Keith Hall - Drum Set, Drum Choir Tim Froncek, Visiting Artist; Western Jazz Quartet Billy Hart, Visiting Artist; Drum Set Fred Hersch, Visiting Artist; Piano, Composition Jazz Events:   http://www.wmich.edu/music/calendar/index.html Top