Concordia jazz bands often feature world-renowned guest artists such as Phil Woods, Dave Weckle, and Peter Erskin. Great local jazz artists also frequently make appearances.
In addition to five major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble I performs on Concordia’s annual Day of Percussion with some of the country’s most sought-after players.
While most of the concerts happen on campus, the final concert is at a downtown Fargo jazz club.
Jazz Ensemble I is conducted by Russell Peterson.
With four major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble II also regularly performs at regional conventions and educational events at local schools.
Jazz Ensemble II is conducted by Dr. Erika Izaguirre.
Concordia’s Vocal Jazz Ensembles are part of the Vocal Jazz Student Organization and provide a multitude of opportunities for students of any major interested in the world of jazz — from singing in the ensembles or playing in the rhythm section to working as a sound technician.
Concordia Jazz Singers, Vocal Jazz Maroon, and Vocal Jazz Gold perform two on-campus concerts each year and perform with Kantorei in February and as a part of Chamber Voices in April, as well as various off-campus gigs in collaboration with Jazz I throughout the year. In addition, Vocal Jazz hosts the annual Concordia Vocal Jazz Festival, which will feature Alyssa Allgood and Matt Falker as Festival Clinicians in February 2025.
Concordia Jazz Singers was selected to perform at the ACDA-MN State Conference in November 2022. Wyatt Steinke directs Concordia Jazz Singers, Vocal Jazz Student Director Megan Gunnerson directs Vocal Jazz Gold, and Vocal Jazz Associate Student Director Josh Powell directs Vocal Jazz Maroon.