Jazz Ensembles
Jazz Ensembles are open to all UMass Amherst & 5-College students, by audition. See below for audition information. Contact Prof. Holmes for more info. Please contact Prof. Jensen-Hole for info about Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE held remotely in Fall 2020).
Visit the JAZZ STUDIES WEBPAGE.
Instrumental Jazz Ensemble Auditions for new students or those wishing to change ensembles are held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, from 2:30-5pm, online via Zoom. Click for the Spring '21 Online Audition sign-up sheet (Google doc). Those who sign up will be sent the Zoom link. Current students who will remain in their fall 2020 ensemble do not need to audition. Click for Jazz Ensemble Audition Info Flyer (pdf). Please contact Prof. Holmes or Prof. Giampietro with any questions about auditions.
Spring 2021 jazz instrumental audition music (Monk's Straight No Chaser):Saxophone/Flute
Lead Trumpet
Trumpet (not lead)
TenorTrombone
BassTrombone
Guitar/Piano/Vibes
Bass
Drumset
Vocal Jazz Ensemble (Remote, Fall 2020): Auditions held via Zoom by appointment, Aug. 19-21 or Aug. 24-26; please contact Prof. Jensen-Hole to schedule your audition.
Click for Info sheet, fall 2020. Questions, contact Prof. Jensen-Hole.
Fall 2020 Audition music: Soprano-Alto Tenor-Bass
JAZZ ENSEMBLE I/STUDIO ORCHESTRA
Jeffrey W. Holmes, director
This award-winning Big Band has gained national and international recognition including top honors at major collegiate jazz festivals and conferences, and ensemble, individual performing, and writing citations from Downbeat Magazine's Annual Student Music Awards. Guest jazz artists commonly are featured with this ensemble. Strings, winds and percussion augment Jazz Ensemble I to form the Studio Orchestra, seven times named Best Collegiate Studio Orchestra and three times Best Blues/Pop/Rock Ensemble by Downbeat. Faculty and student works are performed prominently along with significant historic repertoire.
Click here to listen to live performances of Oliver Nelson's "There's A Yearnin'" and Irving Berlin's "Let's Face the Music and Dance" by the UMass Studio Orchestra conducted by Jeff Holmes.
CHAPEL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Felipe Salles and Thomas Giampietro, directors
Presents traditional big-band literature, experimental compositions, and pop and rock music.
JAZZ LAB ENSEMBLE
This big-band ensemble performs a varied repertoire, and is conducted by Graduate Jazz majors.
VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE Audition Info (Fall 2020) Contact Prof. Jensen-Hole
Excerpts-Soprano/Alto Excerpts-Tenor/Bass
Catherine Jensen-Hole, director
The primary ensemble for vocal jazz studies, it has been named Best Collegiate Jazz Choir by Downbeat magazine. Consisting of 8-12 singers and a rhythm section that is often augmented by horns, the ensemble performs both standard and contemporary jazz repertoire arranged by faculty, students and nationally-recognized vocal jazz arrangers.
CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Jazz Faculty and Jazz Graduate students, directors/coaches
Multiple ensembles perform standard and student-written materials in concert and weekly recital settings.
JAZZ IN JULY
This Fine Arts Center two-week summer program, although not a part of Music Department curricula or degree programs, takes place in the Music wing of the Fine Arts Center and includes jazz faculty members from the Department. (To learn more, please visit the Jazz in July website)
