Southeast Missouri State University students with the University’s Jazz Studio were selected to perform in the Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble.
“I’m super proud of them,” said Joseph Jefferson, associate professor of trombone/euphonium and director of jazz studies. “This is a wonderful time not only for the Department of Music and the Holland College of Arts and Media but for the University as a whole.
The University had five students learn and record materials to audition for the Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble. Of the five students, all were selected to participate. The students selected to perform were Clayton Seabaugh, Isaac Thorn, Brendan Iverson, Christopher Mosher, and Ethan Brown.
They joined students from eight other institutions across Missouri as they performed at the 85th Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference. The MMEA is comprised of more than 3,000 music educators across Missouri and is a part of The National Association for Music Education. The goal of the MMEA is to provide a well-balanced and comprehensive education to every child in America while ensuring they are exposed to high-quality music instruction. In addition to the ensemble performance, the conference featured guest artists, keynote speakers and clinic sessions. The conference is a networking opportunity for students in attendance who got the opportunity to interact with industry professionals.
“Since my arrival at Southeast, the interest in jazz has almost tripled and that makes me very excited to work with students who want to play this particular style of music,” said Jefferson. “The students who were selected have worked incredibly hard, and this was a testament to their focus and dedication to the artform and their craft."