About

The USASK Jazz Ensemble has toured western Canada, northern USA, and Quebec, and has commissioned and premiered many new works for the contemporary large jazz ensemble idiom. This ensemble has released 6 CDs in their ‘Bumper Crop’ series and has performed in venues such as Edmonton’s acclaimed Winspear concert hall. The USASK Jazz Ensemble has performed with many acclaimed guest artists, including Jens Lindeman, Campbell Ryga and Slide Hampton.

There are positions available in this 20-piece large jazz ensemble for trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, saxes (i.e. soprano, alto tenor, bari), french horn, guitar, piano, bass, drums, and vocals. Repertoire includes a broad cross-section of traditional and contemporary jazz standards, as well as original compositions. Auditions are open to all USASK students.

Ensemble Rehearsals: Quance Theatre, Education Building
When: Mondays from 5:00 - 6:30PM and Wednesdays from 5:00-6:00PM

***Both Music and non-Music majors attending USASK are eligible to perform within the USASK Jazz Ensemble***

U of S Student participants must register to participate in the ensemble

for the zero-credit course:
Undergrads: MUAP 132.0 (01)
Grads: MUAP 806.0 (01)

or the FOR-CREDIT course:
Undergrads: MUAP 208.1 (01)
Grads: MUAP 818.1 (01)

Students - Please ensure you register for the appropriate course as one provides credit and one does not. It is not possible to switch after the add/drop deadline. Check with your degree requirements for the option that applies to you.

Auditions

Auditions for 2025-26 USASK Jazz Ensemble will take place for all instruments including voice on September 2-5, 2025 inclusive.

Please direct questions about this ensemble including questions about auditions to Ensemble Director Dean McNeill (dean.mcneill@usask.ca). An online registration form will be posted by August 1, 2025 so that students can register for an audition for this ensemble. Again actual auditions will take place September 2-5, 2025 inclusive.

More information about audition requirements will be posted on this website by August 1, 2025. For now please note that auditions will consist of performing a brief except from a prepared piece (any style of music is fine), a few scales and (optional) improvising.

2025-2026 USASK Jazz Ensemble performance dates include:

October 17, 2025: Play It Forward (location TBA)
November 28, 2025: Term end USASK Jazz concert (Quance Theatre)
January 25, 2026: Big Band Theory @ Broadway Theatre (Broadway Theatre)
January 30, 2026: USASK Jazz night at Bassment Jazz Club
February 7, 2026: USASK Jazz Ensemble Masquerade Big Band Dance (Manhattan Ballroom)
March 21, 2026: Term end USASK Jazz concert (Quance Theatre)

Videos

USASK Jazz Ensemble - Middle of Somewhere

Middle of Somewhere was composed by Paul Suchan, commissioned in loving memory of Steve Mealey. Performed by the University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensemble directed by Dean McNeill, with guest artist Dr. Vanessa Klassen. This premiere performance took place in North Battleford, SK on March 3, 2023. Middle of Somewhere is a gospel-style clarinet feature. Many of the clarinet passages found throughout the piece are direct transcriptions of Mr. Mealey's playing transcribed from recordings.

SF Virtual Jazz Orchestra - The Waking

The Waking was composed & arranged by USASK B.Mus. (performance) & Jazz Certificate graduate Silas Friesen. This piece was commissioned and premiered by the USASK Jazz in 2020. Many of the performers in this video are alumni of the USASK Jazz Ensemble.

Sunny Side Of The Street USASK Jazz Combo

Canada 150 / 110th USask Anniversary Commission Project

Scenes of Plains Peoples

Scenes of a Prairie Peoples is a piece commissioned by the University of Saskatchewan in 2017 to commemorate Canada’s sesquicentennial, and the 110th Anniversary of the University of Saskatchewan. This 3-movement piece is a celebration of the land, and, of the different peoples that have inhabited it.