The New Generation Jazz Choir serves as the select vocal performing ensemble at Bismarck High School.  Currently consisting of 18 members of the Concert Choir, New Gen has a fine reputation as one of the premier vocal ensembles in our state.  This past year, New Gen performed at 38 various concerts and events throughout the city. 

 

New Gen has received numerous awards since the 2003 school year, including 11 consecutive Outstanding Ensemble awards at the University of Mary Jazz Festival, the Outstanding Vocal Combo award at the 2009 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, ID, and the prestigious Floyd Fesser award as the top high school vocal ensemble at the 2007 University of North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison, TX. 

 

In recent years, New Generation has been chosen to perform at the 2004 Bismarck/Mandan Symphony Orchestra’s 4th of July Celebration, the 2005 NDACDA Showcase Concert in Bismarck, the 2006 NDMEA State Conference in Grand Forks, the 2013 NDACDA Showcase Concert in Grand Forks, and in December of 2007 sang with Kenny Rogers during his concert at the Bismarck Civic Center.  New Gen also served as the guest ensemble with the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra in their 2008 spring jazz concert and their fall of 2013 Movie themed concert with guest arranger Ken Gruberman.  

 

This year’s group consists of a mixed choir of 4 Sopranos, 5 Altos, 5 Tenors and 4 Basses.  While performing a majority of a cappella literature, New Gen also employs a rhythm section comprised of members of the Bismarck High School Screamin’ Demons Jazz Band.

 

New Gen is under the direction of Brian Saylor.

 

For more information on New Gen click HERE