¶¶ÒõÂþ» jazz bands often feature world-renowned guest artists such as Phil Woods, Dave Weckle, and Peter Erskin. Great local jazz artists also frequently make appearances.
In addition to five major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble I performs on ¶¶ÒõÂþ»’s annual Day of Percussion with some of the country’s most sought-after players.
While most of the concerts happen on campus, the final concert is at a downtown Fargo jazz club.
Jazz Ensemble I is conducted by Russell Peterson.
With four major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble II also regularly performs at regional conventions and educational events at local schools.
Jazz Ensemble II is conducted by Dr. Erika Izaguirre.
¶¶ÒõÂþ»’s Vocal Jazz Ensembles are part of the Vocal Jazz Student Organization and provide a multitude of opportunities for students of any major interested in the world of jazz — from singing in the ensembles or playing in the rhythm section to working as a sound technician.
¶¶ÒõÂþ» Jazz Singers, Vocal Jazz Maroon, and Vocal Jazz Gold perform two on-campus Vocal Jazz concerts each year as well as various other on- and off-campus gigs in collaboration with Jazz I throughout the year. In addition, Vocal Jazz hosts the annual ¶¶ÒõÂþ» Vocal Jazz Festival, which will feature New York Voices as guest artists and festival clinicians in January 2026.
¶¶ÒõÂþ» Jazz Singers was selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota State Conference in 2022. Wyatt Steinke and Vocal Jazz student director Megan Gunnerson direct ¶¶ÒõÂþ» Jazz Singers, Vocal Jazz associate student director Debbie Vait directs Vocal Jazz Gold, and Vocal Jazz associate student director Isaac Nelson directs Vocal Jazz Maroon.