Eastern Illinois University - Jazz Studies

08/14/2022

An informational meeting for Eastern's jazz groups will be held on Monday, August 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Doudna Fine Arts Center Room 1360. The groups are open to any EIU student, regardless of major.
This meeting will give you an opportunity to meet students and faculty and understand the audition process. Auditions will include a prepared excerpt, sight reading, scales, and improvisation (for combos only). Auditions will take place Monday evening, August 22, and Tuesday afternoon and evening, August 23.

Further information about the groups and the audition process is available here: https://www.eiu.edu/music/ensembles_jazz.php

We look forward to a great year ahead!

05/06/2021

We are excited to announce the EIU Virtual Jazz Band and Combo Clinic. Four of the nation’s finest jazz educators, will review video recordings of junior and senior high school jazz bands and combos. They will offer detailed comments and suggestions and select a few outstanding ensembles and individual performers for recognition. We will create a highlight compilation of the selected ensembles and post it to Youtube with a premier date in early June.

The Clinicians
World renowned jazz educator, Jamey Aebersold will provide comments for the combos. Big bands will be reviewed by three clinicians with long proven success in the public schools, not only with jazz ensembles, but with all types of instrumental music. Thomas Birkner, Janis Stockhouse, and Steve Sveum have long standing reputations as award winning educators who know how to help students achieve their best.

How to Participate
Any director of a middle school, junior high school, or high school jazz group may submit a video (or collection of videos) totaling up to 25 minutes of your group(s). This could be any rehearsal or performance from the 2020/2021 school year. The videos may be submitted any time between now and June 1, 2021.

Please spread the word! The fee is modest and it’s quick and easy to register!

Learn more and register at:
https://www.eiu.edu/.../events_Virtual_Jazz_Band_Clinic.php

09/24/2019

I'm so fortunate to be able to work and perform with wonderful musicians including pianist, Paul Johnston. This is his arrangement of Time After Time. There is some fortunate duo improvisation at about 4:00.

I'm so fortunate to be able to work and play with incredible musicians including our EIU Jazz pianist, Paul Johnston. We picked this tune a few days before t...

03/20/2019

We shouldn't be surprised. But, Oh My! Herbie!

03/02/2019

Just when you think he has done everything possible with the NPR theme, he does more. Nothing short of amazing!

02/18/2019

MM!!

02/17/2019