Ensembles

 

Auditions for all jazz ensembles typically take place during the first week of classes each semester. For more information, please visit: https://arts.psu.edu/academics/school-of-music/music-ensembles/ensemble-auditions

 


Centre Dimensions

The premier big band at Penn State, Centre Dimensions performs frequently on campus and tours throughout the Eastern United States. Centre Dimensions performs and works with internationally acclaimed artists each year, with previous guests including Jihye Lee, Ben Patterson, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Benny Golson, Bob Mintzer, Wycliffe Gordon, Emmet Cohen, and Phil Woods. Focusing on a challenging repertoire of both modern and classic jazz, the ensemble is comprised mostly of graduate and undergraduate music majors. Centre Dimensions is directed by Dr. Joshua Davis.


Inner Dimensions

The second big band at Penn State, Inner Dimensions performs five major on-campus concerts yearly and occasionally performs off-campus. The ensemble is comprised mostly of undergraduate music majors and performs a wide range of modern and classic jazz repertoire in addition to focusing on developing jazz skills in its members. Inner Dimensions is co-directed by Dr. Joshua Davis and the two jazz department graduate assistants, Gabriel Herrera and Alex Mijangos.


Outer Dimensions

The third big band at Penn State, Outer Dimensions performs approximately five major on-campus concerts yearly. The ensemble is comprised mostly of undergraduate non-majors and generally performs standard jazz repertoire with a focus on developing jazz skills.


Vocal Dimensions

Vocal Dimensions is the premier vocal jazz ensemble at Penn State University. Under the direction of Dr. Kathryn Hylton, they perform frequently on campus and have performed off campus for “A Night of Penn State Jazz” sponsored by the Penn State Alumni organization. In addition, Vocal Dimensions has performed and worked with internationally known jazz artists the New York Voices, as well as jazz vocalist/educator Elizabeth Radigonda. Vocal Dimensions performs a challenging repertoire of modern and classic vocal jazz.


Slide Dimensions

Slide Dimensions

Slide Dimensions is a jazz trombone ensemble in the style of Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones. The ensemble performs a variety of challenging repertoire from the likes of Matt Niess, Slide Hampton, Michael Davis, and Kevin McManus and is comprised of graduate and undergraduate trombone studio members in addition to a rhythm section of graduate and undergraduate students. Slide Dimensions is directed by Gabriel Herrera and generally performs once a semester and features guest artists such as Corey Wallace.


Combos

Penn State has a variety of small jazz ensembles with different skill levels, performing a variety of repertoire. Combos performs on-campus in addition to at local venues such as Pine Grove Hall, Webster’s, and the Village. Often, combo musicians have the opportunity to work with PSU jazz guest artists in a more individualized way, recently working with Emmet Cohen, Vardan Ovsepian, and Corey Wallace. Combos are coached by faculty including Dr. Joshua Davis, Dr. Dan Isbell, Rick Hirsch, Gabriel Herrera, and Alex Mijangos.

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