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Jazz Studies at
UW
Check
out the new
Jazz Emphasis for
music majors
Jazz Studies is an
integral part of the music department at the University of Wyoming.
The program supports several performing ensembles including Jazz Ensembles,
Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combos in addition to a strong curriculum of
academic jazz courses.
These academic courses include four sections of Jazz
Improvisation/Theory, Jazz History, and Jazz Techniques.
The ensembles are active performing on and off campus in a variety of
venues including concerts, festivals, and clinics.
In addition to student groups, the Wyoming Faculty Jazztet is a dynamic
ensemble, which consists of University of Wyoming music faculty.
The Jazz Studies
program is available for all undergraduate and graduate students and complements
the outstanding traditional music curriculum.
Students are able to supplement their music education with a broad jazz
curriculum that helps prepare them for a variety of situations in music whether
as an educator or performer.
Dr. Steven Barnhart
- Jazz History, Jazz Techniques, Combos, Percussion
Dr. Michael Krueger - Vocal Jazz
Dr. Kathleen McKeage
- String Bass
Christopher Nicholas -
Trombone
Dr. Thomas Pfotenhauer
- Jazz Ensemble II, Combos, Trumpet, Improvisation
Dr. J. Scott Turpen - Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Ensemble I, Saxophone, Improvisation
Guest Artists: Each year many world-class jazz
artists are brought to UW to perform, to perform with student ensembles
during the Rocky Mountain Festival of Winds, and to present clinics for UW
students. Past guest artists have included: Chris Vadala, Allen Vizzutti,
The Mingus Big Band, Regina Carter, Wynton Marsalis, John Fedchock, Gregg
Bissonette, Ellen Rowe, and Stefon Harris. Contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 307.766.6666 or
online for ticket information.
Jazz Ensemble I performing in the Fine Arts Concert Hall
Jazz Ensembles:
Three 18+-member Big Bands form the heart of performing jazz groups.
Although these are performing groups, the Jazz Ensembles also serve as an
educational venue for students to learn the history, various styles, and
pedagogy of big band jazz music.
The Jazz Ensembles perform a variety of repertoire from all styles and periods
of jazz music. Faculty and student
compositions and arrangements are often programmed.
These groups perform during the academic year and tour throughout the
region.
Jazz Ensemble I performing at Burns High School in Burns, Wyoming
Vocal
Jazz Ensemble:
This 10-16 voice select ensemble with rhythm section performs regularly
on and off campus and adds the very important component of vocal improvisation
and jazz singing to the curriculum.
Jazz Combos:
These small jazz groups focus on the art of improvisation as individuals
and as an ensemble. With the guidance of faculty coaches, students in jazz combos
prepare and perform their own compositions and arrangements throughout each
semester. Here students learn the
intricacies of performing with a small number of musicians and hone their
improvisation skills.
Wyoming Faculty
Jazztet: This group features the
jazz faculty at the University of Wyoming with occasional guest artists.
The Faculty Jazztet performs regularly throughout the region and is
available for concerts and clinics at schools.

Wyoming Faculty Jazztet from left to right Scott Turpen- saxophone, Chris
Nicholas- trombone, Steve Barnhart- drums, Kate McKeage- bass, Peter Queal-
guest guitar
Recent
Accomplishments:
UW Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Combo I received Superior ratings at the 2003, 2004,
and 2005 Greeley Jazz Festival.
10 UW students received Outstanding Soloist awards in the past three years at the Greeley Jazz Festival.
Undergraduate Learning Outcomes
Department of Music
Dept. 3037
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-5242
(307) 766-5326 (fax)
email: musicdpt@uwyo.edu
Main Office located in the
Fine Arts
Center
Room 258