History of the UNC Jazz Studies Program

In 1965 there was sporadic and periodic involvement in jazz at the University of Northern Colorado. In the Fall of 1965, Dr. James Miller, then Interim Director of the School of Music, requested that Buddy Baker, a new faculty member that Fall, form a large jazz ensemble for University credit. By Fall, 1967, a second large ensemble was added to the curriculum and was directed by Derryl Goes, Percussion Instructor. At that time, some 35 students were enrolled in jazz course work and participated in the organized groups. In the Fall of 1970, a third large jazz ensemble was added to the curriculum and was directed by Jack Robinson, Bass Trombone and Tuba Professor, who had joined the UNC faculty in 1968. Derryl Goes organized and the University hosted the First Annual Greeley Jazz Festival in the Spring of 1970.

The Jazz Studies Program became nationally known in 1973 due to Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Director of Jazz Studies Derryl Goes, winning two regional competitions and competing at two national competitions. In 1976, there were three large jazz ensembles as well as academic courses in jazz history and jazz improvisation as part of the jazz studies curriculum. Then an expansion of the Program occurred when the position of Director of Jazz Studies was announced in 1976. Gene Aitken, a jazz and classical music educator and performer, was appointed to this position. In addition, three part-time jazz teaching assistants pursuing graduate work in the field of music and with background and experience in the field of jazz music were employed to assist the new director in broadening the scope of the Program.

From 1977 to 1980, four large lab bands were maintained along with four small jazz ensembles. In addition, one large vocal jazz ensemble was established during the spring of 1977. These various groups plus courses in jazz history and jazz improvisation provided opportunities for more than 200 students to participate in jazz music courses and ensembles. These course offerings were designed and offered to students in music and other disciplines in order to increase the quality of their understanding and performance of jazz.

In 1980, due to student interest, a fifth large jazz ensemble plus several small jazz ensembles were added. To assist in teaching these courses, three additional part-time teaching assistants were added, bringing the total to six jazz teaching assistants. The year 1980 also brought a major development in the jazz areas when the Secondary Emphasis in Jazz Pedagogy was approved by the UNC School of Music faculty as an option in either the Doctor of Arts or Doctor of Music Education degree programs. The School of Music curriculum was then expanded to add graduate level courses in the following:

• Jazz History
• Jazz Theory
• Jazz Improvisation
• Jazz Arranging/Composition I and II
• Jazz Pedagogy
• Jazz Program Planning
• Jazz Administration
• Jazz Grant Writing

By 1981, the doctoral program in jazz had 15 graduate students enrolled in the Jazz Pedagogy option. As of that date, more than 250 students were enrolled in jazz-related courses each semester of the school year. In addition, a part-time faculty member was added to teach Jazz Theory, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Arranging/Composition I and II.

In the Fall of 1982, again due to student interest and the national recognition of the Jazz Studies Program, a sixth large jazz ensemble, a third vocal jazz group under Open University and two contemporary small jazz ensembles were added to the curriculum.

In the Fall of 1984, a Studio Jazz Orchestra was approved by the School of Music Council and shared a concert with the School of Music University Symphony Orchestra. In addition, the credit/contact hours for Jazz Improvisation were reduced in order to add a third quarter of Jazz Arranging/Composition. This added quarter of arranging/composition focuses on studio orchestra and vocal jazz writing. These quarter hours were converted to semester hours in the Fall of 1988.

In 1993, a second year of Jazz Improvisation was added and given to a full-time faculty member.

In May of 2002, Gene Aitken, Director of the Jazz Studies Program since 1976 retired. After an extensive national search, Mr. Dana Landry, was appointed to the position in the Fall of 2002. He brings and extensive background in both teaching and performing.