Get Involved - Jazz Lab Band

Conductor: Mike Irish

Course: FA2420 Jazz Lab Band

Semester: Spring and Fall

Rehearsals: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons 4:00-5:30 Rozsa 208

Admission: Membership is by audition.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department of Michigan Tech University offers diverse variety of courses in the study of Jazz. A 19-credit Minor in Jazz Idiom contains courses in jazz performance, jazz history, jazz improvisation, jazz arranging, and a comprehensive final project which involves arranging a piece for large jazz ensemble and having it performed and recorded.

The Jazz Studies Program is one of the oldest in the Midwest, having been in existence since the Fall of 1967. Continuing the strong traditions and standards of excellence developed by Donald Keranen, the jazz groups of Michigan Tech regularly are chosen as outstanding groups at renowned Midwest Jazz festivals. To support the Jazz Studies Program, students make full use of the Donald P. Keranen Music Instruction Center housed in the 2nd floor of the Rozsa Center

The award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Mike Irish, is made up of 20 musicians from throughout the country, and features a broad repertoire of music ranging from the Big Band Era to today's contemporary sounds and original compositions. Their busy schedule includes numerous concerts and club dates throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, guest artist concerts featuring performers such as Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Maynard Ferguson, Byron Stripling, Frank Mantooth, Frank Wess, Wendell Harrison, Woddy Herman and the Young Thundering Herd, and the Stan Kenton Orchestra, an annual one-week Midwest Tour, and featured performances at various conventions such as the Midwestern Conference on School Music. The Jazz Lab Band has toured Jamaica six times and been chosen as the Outstanding Large Ensemble at the Aquinas Intercollegiate Big Band Festival, Grand Rapids, MI and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Collegiate Jazz Festival on numerous occasions. The students composing this ensemble come from all curricula except music, since Michigan Tech does not offer a music major. A 19-credit minor in Jazz Idiom was instituted during the 2000 - 2001 school year. Their latest CD, Tech Jazz, features both the Jazz Lab Band and the award-winning MTU combo, Jaztec.