• Jazz and Improvisational Music
• Jazz Celebration Weekend 2009
• The Artist and Jazz Series
• Join the Lawrence Jazz E-mail List!
• "Emphasis in Jazz" Curriculum Word
• Lawrence University Jazz and Improvisational Music Department 2009-10 Calendar
• Fall Jazz Auditions for Returning & Incoming Students
• The Fred Herbolzheimer, Jr. Scholarship in Jazz Studies
• Groups
  • Lawrence Jazz Trio
  • Lawrence Faculty Jazz Group
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Jazz Band
  • Jazz Workshop
  • Jazz Small Groups
  • Hybrid Ensemble/Jazz Singers
• Resources
  • LU Jazz Audio Room: The Aebersold Collection
• Performances
  • The Music of Maria Schneider
  • EARTHWORKS: A World Music Celebration
  • THE JAZZ CENTURY: Celebrating 100 years of Jazz History
  • MILES AHEAD: 50th Anniversary Celebration 1957-2007
  • STONE AGE: Music of the Rolling Stones

Mark Urness and Lee Tomboulian, directors

Lawrence University Jazz Small Groups serve over 60 students in quartets, quintets, sextets, and octets. These ensembles study small group performance practice and improvisation in 2-3 weekly sessions that thoughtfully link theory and practice, promote aural training, emphasize traditional jazz repertoire, and explore contemporary improvisational concepts.

The Jazz Small Groups perform and record frequently throughout the school year. Ensemble repertoire typically includes swing, bop, hard bop, free jazz, contemporary jazz, and original student compositions. Groups study recorded performances by historically significant jazz artists and examine the works of composers such as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman. Groups also focus upon the recordings and repertoire of visiting guest artists such as Wayne Shorter (2002-03), Charles Mingus (Mingus Big Band 2003-04), Dave Douglas (2003-04), Tim Hagans (2004-05), Kenny Wheeler (2005-06), and Benny Golson (2005-06).

Students participating in Lawrence jazz small groups, big bands, jazz improvisation classes, and applied lessons accrue standard jazz repertoire through a program titled Jazz Tune of the Week (see list of compositions below). A carefully balanced mix of 30 jazz compositions each year (120 over the span of 4 years) encourages students to assimilate essential standard jazz repertoire.

In the spring of 2003, the Lawrence John Coltrane Ensemble received an outstanding performance award at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival in Chicago.

Go to Jazz and Improvisational Music for more information

2009-2010 “Jazz Tune of the Week” Repertoire

2008-2009 “Jazz Tune of the Week” Repertoire

2007-2008 “Jazz Tune of the Week” Repertoire

2006-2007 “Jazz Tune of the Week” Repertoire

Lawrence University, 711 E. Boldt Way, Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 832-7000 Contact | About | A-Z Index | Search | | |