Founded in 1992, the UMD vocal jazz program has been the largest curricular ensemble program specializing in vocal jazz and contemporary commercial styles in the state of Minnesota. Composed of students of varying majors and musical backgrounds, UMD’s vocal jazz ensemble, Lake Effect, performs two sold out solo concerts each year and joins the UMD Choirs on their Sounds of the Season and Honors festival concerts. In addition to campus and community gigs, Lake Effect travels often, regionally, nationally, and internationally, including trips to Ireland and China.
In 2023, Lake Effect appeared as the featured performer at the Kirkwood Jazz Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the past, UMD vocal jazz performed frequently at the well-known Western Michigan Gold Company Vocal Jazz Invitational, where the ensemble has received Outstanding Performance Awards.
In 2005, Lake Effect won a Downbeat Award in the Outstanding Collegiate Performance category. Lake Effect was selected for the 2006 ACDA state convention and for the 2007 MMEA Midwinter Clinic. In March of 2014, Lake Effect performed at the North Central Division for ACDA in Des Moines, Iowa where they opened for Cantus.
Membership in UMD vocal jazz is open to students of any major, by audition. To learn more about joining, please visit us at UMD SINGS
If you have questions or are interested in joining Vocal Jazz Ensemble, register for MU 1513 or MU 4513 or contact the director, Instructor Lora Gauthier-Dixon at [email protected].