Music - Band
For the band enthusiast, there is no better place than Southwestern Michigan College. The bands at SMC are a part of a Fine and Performing Arts program which offers collegiate-level musical training and performance opportunities accompanied by a complete music curriculum. SMC offers a wide variety of instrumental ensembles so students may include music as a part of their college experience and continue to include music as a part of their lives.
Faculty Contact
Dr. Jon Korzun |
Dr. Jonathan Korzun serves as director of Bands and Instructor of Music Theory at SMC. His duties include conducting the Symphonic Band, Brass Band and Jazz Ensemble, as well as teaching the four-semester sequence of music theory classes. Dr. Korzun received his bachelor’s degree with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa, in Music Education and master’s degree in Music Theory/Composition from Rutgers University, New Jersey, and his doctorate in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A band director and music educator with over 20 years experience, Dr. Korzun’s previous experience includes associate director of bands at Rutgers University, instructor of conducting at the University of Illinois, and positions as band and choir director in the New Jersey public schools. He is active as a trombone player and guest conductor. He is a member of the St. Joseph Municipal Band and Lake Effect Jazz Big Band. He frequently serves as a clinician with area school music programs. Dr. Korzun has extensive experience as music director and conductor of musical theater productions with over three dozen shows to his credit. Dr. Korzun resides in Dowagiac, Michigan with his wife, Donna. |
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| Director of Bands (269) 782-1225 jkorzun@swmich.edu |
Music - Areas of Study
Band
Choir
Band Offerings
Symphonic Band (MUSI 116) is a 45-member student ensemble which performs a wide variety of band literature and offers a rewarding musical experience for instrumentalists of all backgrounds. In addition to concerts at SMC, the Symphonic Band performs for the college’s Commencement ceremony each spring. No audition is necessary for admission, although an audition for chair placement may be required. Some sightreading abilities are required and four years of previous experience in a concert band or similar ensemble is expected.
Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 113) is an 18- to 24-member student ensemble. It employs a standard “Big Band” instrumentation and performs a wide range of styles in jazz and pop literature. The group appears at events both on- and off-campus. An audition is required for admission.
Brass Band (MUSI 115) is comprised of 30 brass and percussion players and is modeled after the British brass bands. Its membership includes SMC students, local amateur and professional musicians, area band directors, as well as talented high school students. The group performs challenging literature that includes all types of music playable by a wind band. Performances include concerts at SMC as well as a number of off-campus events. An audition is required for admission.
Various small instrumental ensembles are offered at SMC. They are open to SMC students, local high school students and community members. These include flute choir, clarinet choir, saxophone ensemble, brass quintet, and percussion ensemble.
There are also opportunities to perform in pit orchestras that accompany SMC's musical theatre productions.
