Contact us: (701) 323-4800 ext. 6132
New Generation Jazz Choir
About Us:
The New Generation Jazz Choir serves as the select vocal performing ensemble at Bismarck High School. Currently consisting of 17 members of the Concert Choir, New Gen has a fine reputation as one of the premier vocal ensembles in our state.
About our Director:
Brian Saylor
Brian Saylor is from Aberdeen, SD and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School. He went on to study music at Lee University in Cleveland, TN (recently listed in InTune Magazine as one of the top 17 Music Schools in the US), where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He also holds a Master's Degree in Elementary Administration through the University of Mary.
Brian is an active member of the North Dakota Music Education Association and serves on their board as the President of the organization as well as being the chief legislative advocate. He also is an active member of the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association serving on their board as the R & S Chair for Contemporary Choirs. He enjoys writing professional articles for the journals of both organizations, and recently had an article republished in a regional choral journal.
Brian has taught for 18 years and was previously the choir director at Horizon Middle School in Bismarck, ND. At Horizon he directed 3 Performance choirs with approximately 250 students. In addition to the performance choirs he was the director of the Horizon Husky Singer's show choir and New Horizon Vocal Jazz Ensemble. At Bismarck High he is the director of 4 performing choirs of approximately 180 students including the Freshman Choir, Men's Choir, Women’s Choir, and the BHS Concert Choir. He is also the Director of New Generation Jazz Choir as well as assisting in the directing responsibilities for Genesis Jazz.
He is married to Becky and they have 2 children, Brady is 13 and Brianna is 8.
History
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 14 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.
Soprano 1s
Jordyn Varland
Hope Burdolski
Soprano 2s
Kyra Schmidt
Mady Wentz
Alto 1s
Ronnee Glatt
Sierra Burgad
Jackie Bitz
Alto 2s
Megan Morris
Kassidy Chongchua
Tenor 1s
Tryton Landsiedel
Neil Siblag
Tenor 2s
Sam Wolf
Russell Swagger
Grant Eggers
Baritones
Ty Farnsworth
Gage Lee
Ethan Rasmussen
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Bass 2
Zach Greff
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.
Bass
Ty Farnsworth
Percussion
Dylan Stockert
New Gen 2016-2017
More...
-Auditioned choir of men and women in grades 10-12
-Current enrollment of 18 singers
-Performs in 3 Concerts per school year
-Performs for events throughout the community of Bismarck/Mandan including 39 performances during the 2013-14 school year
-Performed with Ken Gruberman and the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra during the 2013-2014 school year.
-Performed with Kenny Rogers and the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra during the 2007-08 school year.
-Selected by audition to perform at the 2006 North Dakota Music Educator's Association State Conference
-Selected by audition to perform at the 2005 North Dakota American Choral Directors Association Conference Showcase Concert
-Recent awards include 11 consecutive Outstanding Vocal Ensemble Awards at the University of Mary Jazz Festival in 2004-2014, Outstanding group recognition at the 2014 MacNally-Smith College of Music Festival including 2 performance scholarships for members to the Summer Vocal Arts camp in June of 2014, Outstanding Vocal Combo at the 2009 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, ID, Outstanding Vocal Ensemble at the 2007 North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison, TX and Overall Outstanding Vocal Ensemble Award at the 2006 NorthWest Jazz Festival in Powell, WY.