American Music Repertory Ensemble

Unique among Purdue Bands' offerings, American Music Repertory Ensemble is a big band with vocalists dedicated to re-creating the style and sound of the top bands, band leaders, musicians and vocalists of the 20th century. Directed by Dr. M.T. “Mo” Trout, the band is one of several jazz offerings at the university. It consists of four to five solo singers backed by a full jazz ensemble.

 

Begun in 1982 under Bill Kisinger, the original ensemble – called American Music Review -- was styled after the theme park entertainment groups and included dancers as well as singers. Over the years, it developed its own high-energy style and became known for playing swing era music and tunes by George Gershwin and Cole Porter among others. In the Kisinger era, AMR was the featured performing group on several Caribbean cruises.

 

When Trout inherited the band upon Kisinger’s retirement in 2006, he decided to take the group one step further and spend more time exploring the specific styles that brought success to various performers.

 

By focusing an entire concert on the music of a single band or artist, the singers and instrumentalists can take time to study and listen to the music much more critically and really present some fine concerts,” Trout says.

 

Membership auditions are held each semester on campus. Vocalists are asked to prepare a solo with accompaniment in any of the various styles in the AMRE repertoire. Instrumentalists (trumpets, saxophones, trombones, bass, piano and drum set) will be auditioned on a prepared jazz solo and sight reading in the performance style of the group.

 

Interested in joining the American Music Repertory Ensemble?

Click here for audition information

 

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