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A-State Closing Early Thursday, Jan. 9, Closed Friday

Arkansas State University is closing all academic and business offices at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, and remaining closed on Friday, Jan 10, in response to the incoming inclement weather.

However, while regular business offices are not open, the campus continues to operate. Essential personnel who maintain on-campus activities, including University Housing, Dining Services and Facilities Management, will report to work. Employees who are uncertain about their status as “essential personnel” are encouraged to check with their supervisor.

Full-time employees who track working hours can submit their time as “Authorized Leave.”

Revised Facility Hours:

  • Dining Services will operate under brunch hours at Acansa Dining Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Dinner service will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.  Howl's Grill and Starbucks will be open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  
  • The Dean B. Ellis Library will be closed, but is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m.
  • The Reng Student Union will open for on-campus student usage at 8 a.m., closing at 8 p.m.
  • The Red WOLF Center will be closed.
  • The A-State Bookstore will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

All campus residents are reminded to monitor official university media, including official social media accounts for updates. 

Emergency Contact
University Police
870-972-2093

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Jazz Studies

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A-State Jazz Studies is an exciting and energetic program that includes two jazz big bands, a variable number of jazz combos, and courses in jazz history, jazz theory, and improvisation. A-State Jazz ensembles have traveled across the country to events such as the 2019 Greeley Jazz Festival in Greeley, Colorado, however residents of Jonesboro have ample opportunity to hear the members of the A-State Jazz program as it is widely visible throughout the community. The A-State Jazz Ensembles perform several concerts a semester while members of the A-State Jazz program frequently perform in small combos throughout the Jonesboro community. High School students may enjoy participating in the annual Delta Jazz Workshop each summer and for students interested in pursuing Jazz further. A-State offers a minor in Jazz Studies.


  • Jazz Studies Faculty

    Mr. Michael Medrick, Interim Director of Jazz Studies
    mmedrick@astate.edu

    Mrs. Mary Medrick, Jazz Instructor
    mamedrick@astate.edu

  • Degrees in Jazz Studies

    Students interested in degrees in Jazz Studies at Arkansas State University will explore an intensive curriculum of jazz improvisation techniques, styles, analysis, and transcription as well as jazz arranging and pedagogy. This path is ideal for students wishing to perform, compose, or teach jazz or who are seeking further education in graduate studies in jazz.

    Undergraduate

    Minor in Music (Jazz Studies): Students may choose to add a minor of music with emphasis in jazz studies to prepare for additional employment opportunities in teaching, performance, and composition. A multitude of jazz music courses, ensembles, and individual lessons can be used to satisfy the music minor. For future teachers (BME), this minor represents your added qualifications to lead jazz ensembles at any level.  Performance (BM) students may choose to add this minor to prepare for additional employment opportunities in performance such as commercial music, Broadway show scores, and jazz in graduate school and beyond.  Composition (BM) students add this minor to increase their versatility and pursue an interest in jazz arranging or composition.  This training could be a step toward film scoring and other commercial music applications.

  • Jazz Ensembles

    All A-State jazz ensembles are open to all A-State university students.  Auditions take place during the first days of classes and will ask interested students to perform a prepared piece, sight-reading, and improvisation (not required).  For information about jazz ensemble auditions please contact Mr. Michael Medrick.

    • Jazz Orchestra
      • The A-State Jazz Orchestra is the premier jazz ensemble at Arkansas State University.  It uses a traditional big band instrumentation (saxophone, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section) and features the finest music major jazz musicians on campus.  While the ensemble occasionally visits the great standards of the jazz repertoire, the Jazz Orchestra is primarily heard playing the newest trends of the medium.  The group performs two on-campus concerts each semester and occasionally will travel for an outreach event or jazz competition.  Michael Medrick directs the group which meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00-2:50 pm during both the fall and spring semesters.
    • Jazz Lab Band
      • The A-State Lab Band is comprised of woodwind, brass, and rhythm section players including music majors and non-music majors from across the university.  The band plays a mix of standard charts from across the history of the medium and contemporary repertoire, including tunes arranged by current and former A-State Jazz Studies faculty.  While the group is built around a traditional big band instrumentation, non-traditional big band instrumentalists are welcome.  The group performs two concerts each semester and occasionally will travel for an outreach event.  Michael Medrick directs the group which meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00-1:50 pm during both the fall and spring semesters.
    • Small Combos
      • A-State houses multiple small group jazz combos that music majors and non-music majors participate in.  Combos perform a mix of traditional tunes, Latin jazz, as well as student arrangements and compositions.  Combo musicians have the opportunity to work on and hone their improvisation skills in an encouraging and safe environment.  All skill levels of improvisers are welcome.  These groups perform on at least one on-campus concert each semester and occasionally will travel for outreach events.  Michael Medrick coaches these groups which meet Tuesday nights at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm during both the fall and spring semesters.
  • Jazz Courses

    The A-State Jazz Studies program offers a comprehensive jazz education to our students.  Below is a list of the courses offered.

    • Applied Jazz (MUS 1111, 1112, 1113, 3111, 3112, 3113)
    • Improvisation I, II, III (MUS 1702, 2702, 4702)
    • Introduction to Jazz Studies (MUS 1711)
    • Jazz Piano I and II (MUS 2721, 2731)
    • History of Jazz (MUS 4322)
    • Jazz Theory (MUS 3703)
    • Jazz Arranging I, II (MUS 4713, 4723)
    • Jazz Styles and Analysis (MUS 4733)
    • Methods and Materials for Teaching Jazz Band (MUS 4202)

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    Jazz Studies
    Contact The Interim Director of Jazz Studies

    Mr. Michael Medrick

    Phone: (870) 972-2094

    Room: 213
    Fine Arts Center

    Jazz Scholarships