2017 UNT DownBeat Student Music Award Recognitions

2017

Congratulations to UNT students, ensembles, and faculty mentors for their recognition in the 2017 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards.

Jazz Soloist
Undergraduate College Outstanding Performances
Howi Dietz playing the alto saxophone

Howard Dietz, Alto Saxophone, for "Horizon" by Kyle Myers

Faculty mentor: Brad Leali

Small Vocal Jazz Group
Graduate College Outstanding Performances
Anna Jalkeus group standing in a grassy field
Anna Jalkéus Group for the following compositions:
Faculty mentor: Rosana Eckert

Latin Group
Graduate College Winners
Christian Valdes playing the piano
Christian Valdes Sextet for Impulsos by Christian Valdes
Faculty mentor: José Aponte

Latin Group
Graduate College Winners
Pepe Valdez Quintet playing at UNT on the Square, an art gallery space
Pepe Valdez Quintet for "Alone Together" by Schwartz & Dietz
Faculty mentor: Fred Hamilton

Jazz Arrangement
Undergraduate College Outstanding Arrangement
Greg Santa Croce playing the piano
Gregory Santa Croce, “Dance of the Infidels” by Bud Powell (recorded by The Two O'Clock Lab Band on Two For Tim)
Faculty mentor: Richard DeRosa


2016

Congratulations to UNT students, ensembles, and faculty mentors for their recognition in the 2016 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards. Prof. Jennifer Barnes is recognized by DownBeat this year with an Education Achievement Award.

Jazz Soloist
Graduate College Outstanding Performances
Daniel Matthews, Trumpet
Faculty mentor: Jay Saunders

Jazz Soloist
Graduate College Outstanding Performances
Jake Macary, Trombone
Faculty mentor: Tony Baker

Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Graduate College Winner
UNT Jazz Singers
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Barnes
*Outstanding Soloists: Marion Powers and Nick Olynciw on “Groovin Hard”

Latin Group
Undergraduate College Outstanding Performances
UNT Latin Jazz Lab
Director: José Aponte

Original Composition – Large Ensemble
Undergraduate College Outstanding Compositions
Kyle Gordon, “Incantation”
Faculty mentor: Richard DeRosa

Original Composition – Large Ensemble
Graduate College Winner
Garrett Wingfield, “Anthropoidea”
Faculty mentor: Richard DeRosa

Jazz Arrangement
Undergraduate College Winners (1 of 2 winners)
Mark Hartsuch, “Winter Wonderland”
Faculty mentor: Brad Leali

Jazz Arrangement
Undergraduate College Outstanding Arrangement
Kyle Gordon, “My One and Only Love”
Faculty mentor: Richard DeRosa


About Jazz Studies at UNT

Our program has been a leader in jazz education since 1946. We offer these degrees:

  • Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies with emphasis in instrumental performance, vocal performance, and arranging
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music
  • Master of Music in Jazz Studies with tracks in performance, pedagogy, and composition
  • Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance with local concentration in Jazz Studies, with emphasis in performance and composition

A Graduate Artist Certificate in Performance is also open to exceptionally qualified applicants.

Studying at UNT is surprisingly affordable. Our faculty are distinguished artists and dedicated teachers.