UMD Music: Ensembles

Formed in 1992, the UMD Faculty Jazz Ensemble combines performing and teaching with an active schedule of tours, concerts, and workshops. Activities range from performances for school children of all ages to concerts with such artists as Greg Abate, Steve Turre, Ernie Krivda, Slide Hampton, Wallace Roney and Claudio Roditi.

These groups place emphasis on developing small group skills in preparing and performing standard and original compositions. There are numerous jazz combos, offering a wide variety of size and instrumentation. These groups are overseen by various members of the Jazz faculty.

Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Ryan Frane, and Jazz Ensemble II, directed by Dr. David Schmalenberger, have enjoyed a long history in high-quality performance of big band compositions and arrangements by traditional and contemporary jazz masters. Jazz I continues to promote performance and education on local, regional, and national levels. Major jazz artists who have appeared as guests with Jazz I include Slide Hampton, Frank Tiberi, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Randy Brecker, Frank Foster, Freddie Hubbard, Ernie Krivida, Jim McNeely, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Wallace Roney, and Claudio Roditi.

UMD Vocal Jazz Ensembles, Lake Effect and Chill Factor, under the direction of Tina Thielen-Gaffey, are a pioneering vocal jazz force in Minnesota. Both ensembles are selected after highly competitive auditions in the fall of each year. The students are music majors and non-music majors of varying ages and musical backgrounds. The ensembles perform three on-campus concerts a year, including the annual themed Cabaret Show, held in mid-spring. Most recently, Lake Effect and Chill Factor toured the Mid-West and East Coast, where they received high praise from vocal jazz guru, Roger Treece. They perform annually at the Western Michigan Gold Company Vocal Jazz Invitational, where both ensembles have received Outstanding Performance Awards. Lake Effect was the featured vocal jazz ensemble at the Minnesota Star of the North Vocal Jazz Festival in March of 2006 and was also selected for the Outstanding Collegiate Performance Award, sponsored by DownBeat Magazine. Lake Effect was selected for the 2006 ACDA state convention and for the 2007 MMEA Midwinter Clinic.