The Jazz Program at Southeast Missouri State University has been active for more than 15 years and consists of both big-band and combo-performance opportunities. Classes also are available in jazz improvisation as well as independent study in jazz theory and history. Southeast has two jazz ensembles, which include both music majors and non-majors. Auditions for membership in Southeast jazz ensembles take place during the first week of classes in the fall semester.
For our 2008-2009 season, we will debut our new Jazz Series, featuring three great concerts at the fabulous Bedell Performance Hall.
Thursday, October 30, 2008, “Something Old, Something New”
Southeast’s two outstanding big bands will present an evening of big band favorites from the library of Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington as well as newer big band classics from the library of Buddy Rich and Woody Herman.
Friday, February 13, 2009, Clark Terry/Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival Guest Artist – to be announced
Join Southeast’s Studio Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band for our annual Clark Terry/Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival Gala Concert on Friday evening (February 13) in Bedell Performance Hall. Prepare for an evening of exciting jazz as we have a very special guest artist join the bands in performance.
Thursday, April 23, 2009, “From Fusion to Latin”
Southeast’s two big bands will present a concert featuring music from fusion bands: Joe Zawinul’s Weather Report and Chick Corea’s Return to Forever. Also included on this program will be Latin Salsa and Meringue music. Warning: this could be the most exciting concert you’ve heard in a while!
Call the Southeast Box Office (651-2265) for more information!
Studio Jazz Ensemble (Jazz I)
The Studio Jazz Ensemble is the University’s “premier” jazz organization and is now under the direction of Robert Conger, whose past experience includes membership in the famed One O’ Clock band at North Texas State University. This extraordinarily gifted collection of students performs a wide array of contemporary and standard big-band literature in a variety of styles. The Studio Jazz Ensemble performs both on- and off- campus three to four times per semester. SJE has performed with guest artists such as Clark Terry, Mike Metheny, Allen Beeson, Jim Pisano, Rodney Lancaster, Mark Zauss, Clint Ashlock, Carol Comer, Arch Martin, Wayne Goins and Jim Widner. The band has been the featured group at various University events such as the popluar ‘Clark Terry Jazz Festival’ presented each spring. The band frequently performs at local music festivals as well as in various downtown pubs. Additionally, students in this ensemble will travel to Scotland during August of 2008 to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival. Students who are interested in auditioning for this elite group should have prior experience in a jazz program, woodwind doubling skills (saxes only) and solo experience.
