Jazz and Alternative Styles
Whether you wish to simply play in a jazz group or you seek a
complete jazz education, those participating in jazz and contemporary
music at Otterbein enjoy a wide array of ensembles and a full compliment
of courses to support their interests. Jazz area ensembles are among
the most visible in the music department, as each performs regularly at
venues on and off campus.
Participation in ensembles and most courses are open to all Otterbein
students regardless of major. More serious students may be interested
in one of our Bachelor of Arts degrees with emphasis in Jazz Studies,
Music Business or Audio Production. Whatever your level of interest, at
Otterbein you can study with dedicated educators who are also
accomplished professional musicians.
The Columbus area offers a very active and diverse live music scene
from which students derive nearly endless opportunities to attend jazz
and contemporary music performances. The abundance of music venues in
the area often allows many of our students to book their own
professional engagements as well.
The Jazz Ensemble
Director: Jay Miglia
The Jazz Ensemble is the flagship group of the instrumental jazz
area. This group concentrates on big band compositions and arrangements
from the past 70 years, with an emphasis on more current music and
historically significant pieces. Instrumentation may vary, but holds
closely to the typical big band coterie of around 20 musicians. The
goals of this ensemble are to learn important repertoire and performance
practice from stylistic innovators in the genre, develop one-on-a-part
section blend, swing feel and ensemble precision, and increase
improvisation skills.
Jazz Combos
Directors: Chris Berg and Karl Wohlwend
Jazz was first played in small combos and this kind of ensemble
remains the crucible in which artists prepare themselves. The
instrumentation of these groups is very flexible to allow maximum
participation by any interested student. The goals of each combo are to
learn tunes from the standard jazz canon and elsewhere, improve
understanding of form and chord-scale reading, build improvisation
skills and a precise, unified ensemble sound. Otterbein usually carries
two jazz combos, both of which are free to explore diverse jazz styles
and adapt any music into their format.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Director: Chris Berg
The Guitar Ensemble explores the art of the small guitar ensemble in a
contemporary jazz and multi-idiom context including part-reading, jazz
phrasing, accompaniment, arranging/composition, and improvisation. Prior
experience with the guitar and some note reading ability are required. A
recent smaple of repertoire includes compositions by Sting, Frank
Zappa, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, and various jazz standards.
The Anticipations
Director: Eric Van Wagner and Maggie Green
The Anticipations was
created as an outlet for Otterbein students who are interested in
popular music. Over the course of each year, the group cover a variety
of styles and many opportunities for students to get involved at their
comfort level, or stretch beyond it if they choose. Members can opt to
step out front as the lead singer, take a supportive role with simple
keyboard or percussion parts, or take a technical role. It all comes
together to provide a great experience in an actual working band. The
group performs at least once each quarter and produces a CD each year in
conjunction with our Audio Production students. The Anticipations is
open to any student currently enrolled at Otterbein University,
regardless of major.
Opus One
Director: Dr. Gayle Walker
Opus One is a 16-voice jazz ensemble that performs a wide variety of
music, including unaccompanied multi-part pieces. Opus One has a busy
performance schedule, and is one of the featured ensembles each February
for "Music and Romance," a performance in an off-campus venue that also
serves as a fundraiser for student touring.