NIU has long boasted one of the best and most accomplished jazz programs in the nation, and the tradition continues as recent audiences from DeKalb to Aspen to New York City can happily attest.
A jazz quintet made up of School of Music students Arman Sangalang (saxophone), Kirby Fellis (trombone), Austyn Menk (piano), Morgan Turner (bass) and Noah Brooks (drums) were selected for the 2022 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy in Aspen, Colorado.
Photo credit: Steve Mundinger Photography, Aspen, Colorado.
The quintet, named IRIS, were one of just four groups from colleges and universities all over the nation to be selected for the academy. For two weeks in July, they rehearsed and played with great musicians and mentors. They participated in workshops and master classes and had several opportunities to perform before audiences.
The academy isn’t just about playing music.
“They wanted us to become better equipped to deal with the ins and outs of the industry,” Menk said. “We talked about music licensing, publishing, the mixing, editing and mastering processes. We talked about the influence of jazz on pop music, and ways to monetize your compositions and arrangements. I’ll be going through my notebooks and voice memos from the academy forever.”

during Jazz Aspen Snowmass Photo credit:
Steve Mundinger Photography, Aspen, Colorado
In the fall, the NIU Jazz Orchestra received a personal invitation from jazz legend Wynton Marsalis to compete in the 2023 Jack Rudin Jazz Championships at the historic Lincoln Center in New York City on January 15-16.
One of just nine bands from throughout the nation selected for the Jazz Championship, they brought home five awards. Pete Zimmer earned the outstanding drums honor, Fellis was honorable mention for trombone, Evon J. Sams was honorable mention soprano saxophone, the trombones earned the outstanding section award and the rhythm section earned honorable mention.
The Jazz Orchestra’s director, Reggie Thomas, professor of music and head of jazz studies said he was proud of their fearlessness on one of the grandest stages in all of music.
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