Among strong Conservatory programs, Lawrence University has one of the longest traditions of excellence in jazz education. Whether you're interested in pursuing a career as a jazz artist or simply looking for an introduction to this demanding musical discipline, Lawrence can provide you with an unparalleled experience.

Lawrence offers a Bachelor of Music Degree with a Jazz Emphasis and a broad range of jazz ensembles, courses, and private instruction. Long recognized among the finest undergraduate jazz ensembles in the country, the Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble (LUJE) and Lawrence Hybrid Ensemble have been cited three times as the outstanding U.S. collegiate jazz groups in the Downbeat Magazine “Student Music Awards.” The Lawrence Jazz Band and the newly formed Jazz Workshop Ensemble round out the large jazz ensemble experience.

Six Lawrence jazz small groups meet twice weekly throughout the school year in “jazz performance classrooms.” Working combos of 5-8 students study small group performance practice and improvisation in sessions that thoughtfully link theory and practice, emphasize jazz repertoire, and explore contemporary improvisational concepts. The large ensembles, small groups, and an intense sequence of jazz composition and arranging courses are closely integrated, allowing for frequent performances and recordings of student works. Lawrence jazz students have won Downbeat student music awards in the instrumental soloist, original composition, arranging, and recording categories.

Renowned jazz artists appear at Lawrence annually, performing with LUJE, Jazz Singers, student small groups, LU jazz faculty ensembles, and on the superb Lawrence Jazz Series. The roster of names reads like a Who’s Who in jazz:

Lawrence graduates pursue successful careers as players, composers, jazz arrangers and jazz educators, and three renowned alumni have returned to join the jazz faculty. 1957 graduate John Harmon (instructor of jazz history) led the contemporary jazz nonet "Matrix" through several national tours and five recordings with RCA, Warner Brothers, and Pablo Records. 1973 graduate Fred Sturm (LUJE conductor and jazz composition/arranging instructor) served as Director of Jazz Studies at Lawrence for 14 years, conducted the Jazz Ensemble and Studio Orchestra at the Eastman School of Music from 1991 to 2002, and has returned to lead the newly designed Lawrence Jazz and Improvisational Music Department.

Jazz Faculty

 

Lawrence University, 711 East Boldt Way, Appleton, WI 54911-5626 (920) 832-7000 Contact Lawrence