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Welcome to the Jazz Studies Area

Located within some of the most beautiful north woods scenery in the United States, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire sits on the banks of the Chippewa River and is touted as "Wisconsin's Most Beautiful Campus."

The all undergraduate Department of Music and Theatre Arts is Wisconsin's largest with three-hundred plus majors working toward bachelor degrees in music education, music therapy, performance, theory/composition, music history and conducting. The music department possesses the largest musical technology lab in the state of Wisconsin which is easily accessible to students. Money Magazine's College Guide recently identified UW-Eau Claire and specifically the Department of Music and Theatre Arts to be "worth a special look."

The UW-Eau Claire Jazz Studies Area has a vibrant environment with five big bands and 20 combos. Classes are offered in jazz history, jazz improvisation, jazz arranging and jazz pedagogy.

The Jazz Studies Area has received the Down Beat Magazine "Best College Big Band" Award five out of the last eight years, along with many individual awards (see Accolades). Jazz Ensemble I has recorded a CD each year for the past decade with two nominated for a Grammy Award: "Jazz in Clear Water--Harpoon" and "Jazz in Clear Water--Things to Come."

UW-Eau Claire sustains one of the nations oldest and largest jazz festivals and its efficient operation is managed by a large and active International Association of Jazz Educators student chapter.

Being in close proximity to the Twin Cities enables UW-Eau Claire students to hear world class performers and participate in many professional engagements. This location also enables us to host many nationally known jazz artists in conjunction with their travels to the Twin Cities. The jazz ensembles tour nationally and regionally and have recently performed for:

• The KBEM Jazz Festival - Twin Cities (Jazz Ensembles I, II and III)
• The International Midwest Band Director's Conference (Jazz Ensemble I)
• The Illinois State Music Educators Conference (Jazz Ensemble I)
• The New York Brass Conference (Jazz Ensemble I)
• The MENC National Conference (Jazz Ensemble I)
• The MENC Midwest Regional Conference (Jazz Ensemble I)
• The Wisconsin Music Educators State Conference (Jazz Ensemble II)
• The Minnesota State Music Conference (Jazz Ensemble I)
• The UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival (Jazz Ensembles I, II, III, IV, and V)

These experiences would not be possible without the tremendous musicianship students learn from the orchestra, bands and many choirs and the fundamental philosophy of the jazz studies area, that our students are fundamentally classically trained musicians who interpret the jazz style.  At UW-Eau Claire students receive a solid foundation of classical training imperative to ones ability to express him/herself in all genres of music.

Have fun browsing our web site. You can listen to some CD excerpts, keep up on the weekly news of student activities, learn about auditions, or find out when and where ensembles are performing.

If you are ever in the area, we welcome you for a visit.

All the best,

Robert Baca

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Contact Information: 
Robert Baca
Director of Jazz Studies
250 Haas Fine Arts
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702
(715) 836-4371

bacarj@uwec.ed