Instrumental Jazz

Virginia Tech Jazz Ensemble

The Virginia Tech Jazz Ensemble is the flagship ensemble of the Virginia Tech jazz studies program. The group performs advanced big band literature of the past and present, with particular emphasis on new music by leading composers in the field such as Maria Schneider, Sherisse Rogers, and Vince Mendoza, as well as contributions from emerging artists and student arrangers. Past honors include the Service Grant Award from Festival Williamsburg, the National Jazz Hall of Fame’s Collegiate Jazz Festival Award and numerous community citations. Recent guest artists have included John Hollenbeck, Theo Bleckmann, Gary Versace, Tony Malaby, Alex Norris, Jonathan Kreisberg, Andrew Bishop and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Concerts are presented throughout the year both on and off campus. Open to all students by audition.

• Director: John Adler
• Office: 242J Squires
• Phone: (540) 231-6713
• E-mail: johnadler@vt.edu
• Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:20-1:10 pm, Squires 162
• Number of performers: 20

Virginia Tech Jazz Lab Band

The VT Jazz Lab Band is a traditional big band focused on the development of ensemble skills, improvisation, and the study of various styles of jazz. Concerts are presented throughout the year both on and off campus. The band consists of standard big band instrumentation including five saxophones, five trumpets, five trombones, and full rhythm section including piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion, and is open to all students by audition.

• Director: John Adler
• Offfice: 242J Squires
• Phone: (540) 231-6713
• E-mail: johnadler@vt.edu
• Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:25-2:15 pm, Squires 162
• Number of performers: 20

Jazz Chamber Groups

Virginia Tech fields 2 - 3 small groups each semester in the jazz program. Each ensemble typically consists of a rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, drums) and one to three horns, and provides opportunities for more advanced jazz students to develop their performance skills in small group communication and improvisation. Literature is arranged by each group and often includes original compositions by student members. The jazz chamber groups perform once each semester on campus in addition to several performances offsite. Open to all students by audition.

• Director: John Adler
• Offfice: 242J Squires
• Phone: (540) 231-6713
• E-mail: johnadler@vt.edu
• Schedule: TBA
• Number of performers: 3-8 (in each group)

Audition Information

Auditions for ALL jazz ensembles at VT will take place during the first week of classes each semester. ALL jazz ensembles at VT are open every semester to ALL students at VT. Non-music majors are encouraged to try out, and usually comprise around 50% of the jazz ensembles at VT. Auditions usually consist of a short prepared piece, sight-reading, and improvisation (optional). For specific audition requirements questions please email John Adler at johnadler@vt.edu.