Jazz Ensembles
Click to view a listing of the jazz faculty.
This year, the jazz area is co-sponsoring the New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp in August. More details can be found on that page.
Jazz Lab Band
The 2009–2010 Jazz Lab Band I
David Bixler, director, jazz lab band I
Rehearsals: TR 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Jeff Halsey, director, jazz lab band II
Rehearsals: TR 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Founded in the early 1960s, the Jazz Lab Bands are the large ensembles of the jazz studies program. The bands regularly appear at jazz festivals including over 20 appearances at the prestigious Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festival. The bands emphasize student learning through repertoire study and improvisation training. The Jazz Lab Bands are open to both music majors and non-majors.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
Founded in 1985 by its director Chris Buzzelli, the group performs a variety of pieces ranging from standard and modern jazz to original music composed specifically for the group by Buzzelli. The ensemble also performs a number of off-campus concerts each year. The ensemble also sponsors appearances by guest artists including jazz guitarists Cal Collins and Tal Farlow. It has made appearances at both the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference and the Ohio Music Education Association Conference.
The Classical Guitar Ensemble has participated in the Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival. Recently, we have aquired a number of alto, bass and contrabass guitars for use in the Classical Guitar Ensemble.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
The BGSU Jazz Singers has been under the direction of guitar professor, Chris Buzzelli, since the Fall of 2000. The ensemble includes 12-16 vocalists plus an instrumental combo, and performs the music of groups such as Manhattan Transfer, Singers Unlimited and New York Voices, as well as arrangements written especially for them. They have performed at the Jazz Education Network National Conference, the Tri-C Vocal Jazz Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Gold Company Vocal Jazz Festival and the Ohio Music Educator's Conference. They have also hosted clinicians such as Kim Nazarian, Peter Eldridge and Carol Welsman. Since the summer of 2009, the group has hosted the annual Bowling Green State University/New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp, which has attracted participants from all over North America, as well as Europe, Asia and South Africa.
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Chamber jazz or combo experience is vital to the jazz program at BGSU. All groups meet twice a week for rehearsal. One concert is required for each ensemble per semester. Additionally, each group plays in a master class setting giving a mini-concert for their peers and faculty. Additional opportunities exist for gigs and school community concerts.