Founded in 1992, the UMD vocal jazz program is the largest curricular ensemble program specializing in vocal jazz and contemporary commercial styles in the state of Minnesota.
In addition to campus and community gigs, Lake Effect and Chill Factor travel often, regionally, nationally, and internationally, including trips to Ireland and China.
In 2023, Lake Effect will appear as the featured performer at the Kirkwood Jazz Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the past, UMD vocal jazz performed frequently at the well-known Western Michigan Gold Company Vocal Jazz Invitational, where both ensembles have received Outstanding Performance Awards.
In 2005, Lake Effect won a Downbeat Award in the Outstanding Collegiate Performance category. Lake Effect was selected for the 2006 ACDA state convention and for the 2007 MMEA Midwinter Clinic. In March of 2014, Lake Effect performed at the North Central Division for ACDA in Des Moines, Iowa where they opened for Cantus.
Membership in UMD vocal jazz is open to students of any major, by audition. To learn more about joining, please visit us at UMD SINGS
If you have questions, please contact Chris Fettig, [email protected]
Register for MU 1513 or MU 4513