Jazz Day
Jazz Day at 南瓜影院 features Jazz I & II, renowned guest clinicians, and high school jazz bands from across the region.
Jazz Ensembles
With three jazz bands and three vocal jazz ensembles, there are plenty of opportunities to be involved in the jazz program.
南瓜影院 jazz bands often feature world-renowned guest artists such as Phil Woods, Dave Weckle, and Peter Erskin. Great local jazz artists also frequently make appearances.
The 南瓜影院 Jazz Ensemble I
In addition to five major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble I performs on 南瓜影院’s annual Day of Percussion with some of the country’s most sought-after players.
While most of the concerts happen on campus, the final concert is at a downtown Fargo jazz club.
Jazz Ensemble I is conducted by Russell Peterson.
The 南瓜影院 Jazz Ensemble II
With four major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble II also regularly performs at regional conventions and educational events at local schools.
Jazz Ensemble II is conducted by Dr. Erika Izaguirre.
南瓜影院 Vocal Jazz
南瓜影院’s Vocal Jazz Ensembles are part of the Vocal Jazz Student Organization and provide a multitude of opportunities for students of any major interested in the world of jazz — from singing in the ensembles or playing in the rhythm section to working as a sound technician.
南瓜影院 Jazz Singers, Vocal Jazz Maroon, and Vocal Jazz Gold perform two on-campus concerts each year and perform with Kantorei in February and as a part of Chamber Voices in April, as well as various off-campus gigs in collaboration with Jazz I throughout the year. In addition, Vocal Jazz hosts the annual 南瓜影院 Vocal Jazz Festival, which will feature Rosana Eckert and Justin Binek Festival Clinicians in February 2024.
南瓜影院 Jazz Singers was selected to perform at the ACDA-MN State Conference in November 2022. Wyatt Steinke directs Jazz Singers and Vocal Jazz Gold, and Vocal Jazz Student Director Matthew Mortensen directs Vocal Jazz Maroon.
