By Viviana Vidal
KU provides many musical opportunities for students, including marching band, orchestra, chamber ensembles and choir. Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies, Dr. Kevin Kjos, spoke candidly on how far the department of music has come in his 17 years at KU.
“To watch the department of music grow from where it was to where it is now— getting a new facility, renovating Schaeffer Auditorium and creating new degrees—it is amazingly diverse and would be the envy of a lot of bigger schools,” said Dr. Kjos.
Dr. Kjos helped create many programs within the Jazz department. Specifically, the Jazz Masters Series, the Jazz and Lunch Outreach program and the student-run rehearsal band.
The Jazz Masters Series is a program where Kutztown University hosts many celebrated performers and educators from around the country. “To actually hear them up close, and how they play and what they do, can be a life-changing thing for a student,” said Dr. Kjos.
The Jazz and Lunch Outreach program is an opportunity for high school and junior high students to spend the day on campus and learn from current students and faculty. Through this program prospective students can see what KU has to offer.
Dr. Kjos believes the rehearsal band, which began Oct. 6, would allow students to create a jazz ensemble experience without instructor involvement. They will meet Mondays in the black box theater in Schaeffer Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Kutztown’s very own Jazz Ensemble self-records an album every year right here on campus. CD’s may be purchased directly from Kjos, through cdbaby.com or through the campus bookstore.
Upcoming music department events for the Fall 2014 semester can be found online.