A wide variety of performance opportunities await our students each year, with orchestras, bands, choirs and opera, jazz nonets and combos, small ensembles, and more.
A variety of programs and initiatives operate continuously or annually to enhance learning experiences and help students prepare for their future in music.
The MSU College of Music supports and challenges students, values innovation and creativity, and helps every community member achieve professional excellence.
Howard J. Gourwitz (b. 1948) is a lifelong musician and advocate for the arts. He received his degrees in the arts and law from the University of Michigan (BA, 1969), Wayne State University (Juris Doctor, cum laude, 1972), and New York University (Master of Laws in Taxation, 1973). His career as an attorney garnished him notoriety regarding corporate, taxation, and sports law in Michigan as well as serving as Adjunct Professor of Law at Wayne State University in his early career. Gourwitz played in the Michigan Marching Band throughout his undergraduate degree, instilling a deep passion for music. His close friendship with Dr. Kevin Sedatole has fostered a connection to the MSU College of Music, through which he has contributed gifts toward student scholarships and programs in addition to establishing an endowment for a special collection of Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival posters spanning over three decades in history. The Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival began in 1980, and it continues today as the Detroit Jazz Festival. It features annual promotional posters by artists from Detroit composed of original paintings, collages, and digital artwork that reflect the spirit of both the festival and the city alike.
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1980
Reprinted painting, 32″ x 23″
Location: A230 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1981
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 22″
Location: A005 Billman Music Pavilion (Jazz Practice Room)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 1982
Two copies
Reprinted painting, 39.5″ x 28″
Locations: Billman Music Pavilion Basement (hallway) and 218 Music Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1983
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1984
Reprinted painting, 39.5″ x 28″
Location: Billman Music Pavilion Basement (hallway)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1985
Reprinted painting, 38″ x 26″
Location: A001 Billman Music Pavilion (Jazz Practice Room)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 1986
Reprinted painting, 39.5″ x 27.5″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1987
Reprinted painting, 39.5″ x 27.5″
Location: Billman Music Pavilion Basement (hallway)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1989
Reprinted painting, 28″ x 21″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1990
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1991
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1992
Reprinted painting, crayon, 36″ x 24″
Location: A003 Billman Music Pavilion (Jazz Practice Room)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1993
Reprinted painting, 38″ x 20″
Location: 103C Music Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1994
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: Billman Music Pavilion Second Floor (hallway)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1995
Reprinted painting, landscape format, 24″ x 38″
Location: 2018 Music Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1996
Reprinted paper collage, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1997
Reprinted paper collage and paint, 36″ x 24″
Location: In Storage
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1998
Reprinted painting, 38″ x 26″
Location: In Storage
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 1999
Reprinted paper collage, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 2000
Reprinted paper collage, 36″ x 24″
Location: A110 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2001
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Digital 2002
Printed digital design, 36″ x 24″
Location: Billman Music Pavilion Second Floor (hallway)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2003
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: A220 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2003
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: 006B Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2003
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: Billman Music Pavilion Second Floor (hallway)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Print 2004
Single line caracature, 36″ x 24″
Location: 301 Music Practice Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Digital 2005
Printed digital design, 36″ x 24″
Location: In Storage
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2006
Reprinted painting, 24″ x 18″
Location: 311 Music Practice Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2007
Reprinted painting, landscape format, 24″ x 36″
Location: 102 Music Building (Main Office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2008
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: A233 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2010
Reprinted painting, landscape format, 36″ x 28″
Location:
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Digital 2011
Reprinted painting, 32″ x 22″
Location: 249 Music Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Digital 2012
Printed digital design, 36″ x 24″
Location: In Storage
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Digital 2013
Printed digital photograph, 36″ x 24″
Location: Billman Music Pavilion Second Floor (hallway)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2014
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: 101 Music Practice Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2015
Reprinted painting, 30″ x 24″
Location: A210 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2016
Reprinted painting, 30″ x 24″
Location: A230 Billman Music Pavilion (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2017
Reprinted painting, landscape format, 12″ x 40″
Location: 316 Music Practice Building (office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2019
Reprinted painting, 31″ x 22″
Location: 105 Music Building (Dean’s Office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2020
Reprinted collage, 36″ x 24″
Location: 105 Music Building (Dean’s Office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Collage 2021
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: 105 Music Building (Dean’s Office)
Detroit Jazz Festival Poster Painting 2022
Reprinted painting, 36″ x 24″
Location: 155 Music Building (office)