Jazz thrives at Utah State, with hundreds of students participating every year in jazz activities of one kind or another, and a faculty of world-class jazz musicians who actively perform and are committed to educational excellence as well.
In June of 2014, Downbeat Magazine honored the USU Jazz Orchestra with its Outstanding Performance by a Large Jazz Ensemble award in the annual Student Music Awards issue.
USU Jazz Orchestra
MUSC 3770 - 1 cr. (Fall & Spring Semesters)
Director
Auditions
The USU Jazz Orchestra is open to all university students. Auditions are held the first week of fall semester. After admission, students may challenge current members for seats in the band between semesters. The audition is based on ability to sightread big band music, and those interested in soloing will be asked to improvise.
Overview
The award-winning USU Jazz Orchestra meets three times a week (MWF) at 12:30. It is made up of five saxophones (alto, tenor, and baritone), four trumpets, four trombones, piano, guitar, bass, and drums, and performs a variety of big band and contemporary jazz music. The Jazz Orchestra performs three concerts a year at USU along with the Jazz Ensemble, in addition to occasional performances at festivals and high schools. This group is involved yearly with nationally known guest artists and frequently collaborates with USU jazz faculty. The Jazz Orchestra completed a tour of European jazz festivals in the summer of 2019 (Vienne – France, Umbria – Italy, and Montreux – Switzerland) and anticipates similar travel activities in the summer of 2024.
USU Jazz Ensemble
MUSC 3760 - 1 cr. (Fall & Spring Semesters)
Director
Auditions
The USU Jazz Ensemble is open to all university students. Auditions are held the first week of fall semester. After admission, students may challenge current members for seats in the band between semesters. The audition is based on ability to sightread big band music, and those interested in soloing will be asked to improvise.
Overview
The USU Jazz Ensemble meets three times a week (MWF) at 1:30. It is made up of five saxophones (alto, tenor, and baritone), four trumpets, four trombones, piano, guitar, bass, and drums, and performs a variety of big band and contemporary jazz music. The Jazz Ensemble performs three concerts a year at USU along with the Jazz Orchestra, in addition to occasional performances at festivals and high schools. This group is involved yearly with nationally known guest artists. This group also performs at the yearly three-night dinner/dance event called “Jazz Night at Elite Hall” held in February. This historic event also includes jazz vocalists who audition to sing with both big bands – (Vocal auditions are in early October. Audition sign-ups are posted in the Music Department at that time).
Jazz Combos
MUSC 4710 - 1-2 cr. (Fall & Spring Semesters)
Directors
Dr. Braun Khan and Dr. Max Matzen
Auditions
For more information about auditions contact Dr. Khan.
Overview
Study and performance of the finest literature for the small jazz ensemble.