And All That Jazz

When thinking of music at Luther, the mind goes directly to Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Nordic Choir. However, there are many more ensembles on campus. Luther’s jazz opportunities are becoming very big within the musical spectrum here at Luther.

There are several student-led jazz combos, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band and a vocal jazz group. Moreover, Dr. Juan Tony Guzman, director of the Jazz Orchestra, is working with a group of students and some music associates to get a jazz minor in Luther’s curriculum. It is worth paying attention to this growing musical art form.

Homecoming is a big annual spotlight for jazz on campus; Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Band have a big performance in Marty’s. However, this isn’t their only performance.

“We also enjoy playing in churches throughout the year,” Guzman said “Also, each semester we have a concert. Then in the spring we go on Tour.”

This year, in an effort to encourage growth, the jazz department is planning to have a festival for Midwestern high school jazz ensembles. KWLC is also an important promoter, since this year they are emphasizing jazz music. Plans are in the works for the station to feature several jazz combos.

Jazz ensembles appeal to a varied group of students and not necessarily music majors.

“I think that people who are drawn to jazz over choir, for instance, are people that enjoy the energy that jazz music has and they also enjoy the creative spirit that jazz music has,” said Jon Ailabouni (‘10). “You get to improvise, and there’s more feature time for soloists than in other ensembles.”

Jazz is considered very important to have at Luther College because of its elements of American art.

“It’s the most important original American art form that there is and one of the only,” Professor Tom Bourcier said. “I think that every school in this country should represent it and teach it.”

In recognition of the importance and popularity of jazz at Luther, Guzman is working to add a jazz minor to the music department’s offerings.

“We already have in place the faculty and the courses in jazz that will allow people to package them as a jazz minor,” Guzman said.

Even though the minor is still in its conception stages, all the classes that would be required, such as jazz history, improvisation, jazz lessons and taking part in a jazz ensemble and a recital are already happening at Luther. According to Guzman, this minor would just be a way of arranging all these courses without adding any costs to Luther.

“The other part of that music minor is being able to use your music scholarship to take jazz lessons for non-majors,” Clara Bailey-Hugil (‘10) said. “Right now we have people in the jazz orchestra who are incredible jazz musicians but aren’t music majors, so if they want to keep their music scholarship they need to take classical lessons, even though they don’t use it.”

The music department and dean’s office strongly support incorporating a jazz minor in the curriculum. Meanwhile, students and instructors continue to enjoy jazz music.

“Tony always says that our concerts are celebrations,” Bailey-Hugil said. “We’ve done the work, and now it’s time to have fun and celebrate.”