Jazz Ensembles of MHC Director, Mark Gionfriddo, has a few words to say. (Click here to see his profile on the music webpage.)

It's nothing short of amazing that in only three short years, the original eight member Jazz Ensemble- which was really more of a "combo" than an ensemble- has expanded to three offerings featuring over forty singers and instrumentalists! We have something for everyone from novice to advanced level. Are you a brass, horn or rhythm section player with high school jazz, marching or concert band experience? Are you looking for an opportunity to continue playing here at college? Maybe you have a classical music background, but you have always wanted to try jazz. The twenty member Big Band, specializing in classic repertoire from Basie to Brubeck, is where seasoned instrumentalists work alongside inquisitive, excited beginners. Perhaps you have lots of jazz experience already, and you desire to play more complex styles like Dixieland and Fusion with other advanced level students. Then the Chamber Jazz Ensemble is for you! Do you enjoy singing the ballads of the incomparable Lady Day, or do you like to "scat" in the style of Ella the Great? The twenty-four member Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs these selections and much, much more. And there are also solo opportunities available for Vocal Jazz members with both Big Band and Chamber Jazz!

Speak with any "jazzer", as they are affectionately called, and they will tell you of the wonderful feeling of community among the three MHC jazz ensembles. Students from all over campus with majors ranging from the Sciences to the Humanities converge on Pratt Hall each week to study and perform "America's classical music". These jazzers work hard in rehearsal, but they also have lots of fun. The payoff comes when appreciative audiences pack McCulloch Auditorium at each concert, for these jazzers have developed quite a following. And as they continue to improve and excel, I have become quite proud of their achievements.

I am also very pleased to be developing one of the few women's collegiate jazz programs in the country. Our participants realize the good fortune of being able to study jazz performance without having to leave campus in order to do so. I hope that this program (and MHC jazz alumni in general) will help break down barriers in the male-dominated jazz world. Although things are slowly getting better, there's still a long way to go for female jazz players, especially if they are not singers or pianists. All musicians have worthwhile ideas to express, and gender should not make a difference.

Sincerely,
Mark Gionfriddo
Director of the Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College