Mt. SAC Jazz Band and Lab Band
The Music Program is open to Music Majors and Non-Music Majors. Students playing in
an ensemble qualify for Priority Registration
Director Of Jazz Studies: Dr. Walter Simonsen
Contact wsimonsen@mtsac.edu for more information.
Mt. SAC is one of the premier Community College Jazz programs in the United States
The Mt. SAC Jazz Ensemble Awards:
2009 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2011 - 2nd Place Reno Jazz Festival
2012 - 1st Place Western States Jazz Festival
2012 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2013 - 1st place Reno Jazz Festival
2014 - 1st place Reno Jazz Festival
2015 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2016 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
鈥�2017 - 2nd Place Reno Jazz Festival
2018 - 2nd Place Reno Jazz Festival
2018 - Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award Winners for 鈥淏est Large Ensemble鈥�
2019 - 1st Place Route 66 Jazz Festival
2019 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2020 - Outstanding Performance Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award 鈥淟arge Ensemble鈥�
MUS 47 Jazz Ensemble: (Audition only) 鈥� Is a traditional Big Band that plays jazz in traditional style
and modern styles. (Intermediate to Advanced level)
MUS 39 Laboratory Band: (Non-audition) 鈥� Is a smaller contemporary ensemble that will play a wide array of
styles that could include jazz, rock, funk, and Latin music styles. (Novice to Intermediate
Level)
MUS 16 Individual Instruction: Students playing in an ensemble qualify for 14 hours of private lessons.
Primary Instruments used for these ensembles:
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass (Upright and Electric)
Drum Set
Aux Percussion
Mt. SAC Jazz Faculty
Dr. Walter Simonsen 鈥� Director of Jazz Studies/Trumpet/Jazz Composition
Barbara Laronga 鈥� Trumpet
Dr. Karen Marston 鈥� Trombone
Dean Koba 鈥� Drums
Jeff Ellwood 鈥� Saxophone
Joe LoPiccolo 鈥� Guitar
Dr. Dhiren Panikker 鈥� Piano
Dr. Marcus Wilcher 鈥� Saxophone/Jazz Composition
