Faculty Ensembles
Palouse Jazz Project
The Palouse Jazz Project is a dynamic jazz sextet, equally at home in performance and educational settings. Established in 2006, the group is comprised of faculty members from the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho. The Palouse Jazz Project performs jazz standards as well as original arrangements and compositions written especially for the ensemble. As educators, the Palouse Jazz Project welcomes working with students of all ages, developing skills in rhythm, melodic playing, historical context, ensemble playing and basic instrumental technique.
For further information, email palousejazzproject@uidaho.edu.
The Palouse Jazz Project is:
- Vern Sielert, trumpet
- Vanessa Sielert, saxophone
- Kate Skinner, piano
- Daniel Pinilla, guitar
- Josh Skinner, bass
- Dan Bukvich, drums
Past performances and workshops include:
- Great Falls High School, Great Falls, MT
- Tula’s Jazz Club, Seattle, WA
- Mead High School, Spokane, WA
- Backstage Bistro, Walla Walla, WA
- Bucer’s Coffeehouse, Moscow, ID
- Basalt Cellars, Lewiston, ID
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love"
The Palouse Jazz Project's recording was made possible in part by a University of Idaho College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Summer Research Grant.
Northwest Wind Quintet
The Northwest Wind Quintet, in residence at the University of Idaho since 1967, presents numerous concerts, clinics and community events throughout the Pacific Northwest. Its extensive repertoire spans over two centuries of excellent chamber music. The group’s members, all full-time faculty in the Lionel Hampton School of Music, are:
- Leonard Garrison, flute
- Teodora Pejasinovic Proud, oboe
- Shawn Copeland, clarinet
- Jason Johnston, horn
- Javier Rodriguez, bassoon
Idaho Brass Quintet
The Idaho Brass Quintet, established in 1956, has had a long tradition of excellence throughout the Northwest. Its extensive repertoire spans Renaissance literature to contemporary music and jazz. They perform annual recitals, clinics and community events, both on the U of I campus and on tour. Current members include:
- Sean Butterfield, trumpet
- Jason Johnston, horn
- Vern Sielert, trumpet
- Mark Thiele, tuba
Hammers & Reeds
Hammers & Reeds is a resident, faculty trio at the University of Idaho. Shawn Copeland, clarinet; Javier Rodriguez, bassoon; and Eneida Larti, piano. Dedicated teachers and performers, the trio focuses on performing original works, commissioning new works and adapting existing works for this genre.
