Faculty profile
Eric Schmitz
Professor, Director of Jazz Studies
Applied Percussion, Intermediate Music Theory
Jazz Ensembles, Percussion/Guitar - Area Coordinator
Contact
Office hours
T/TH 1:30-2:00 pm; also available by appointment
Dr. Eric Schmitz is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at SUNY Oswego, where he directs the Oswego State Jazz Ensemble and Latin Jazz Ensemble, co-leads and performs with the Oswego Jazz Project (faculty jazz quartet), and teaches jazz and rock history, improvisation, jazz arranging, and music theory and composition.
He has lectured on music and given performances at universities throughout the United States as well as in Havana, Cuba and Kielce, Poland. Eric is an active composer and performer, as well as a judge for jazz festivals throughout New York state.
Eric has a passion for Cuban music and has made frequent trips to the island since 2007, where he has studied with Cuban percussion legend Emilio Del Monte since 2012.
His original compositions and arrangements for big band and chamber groups are published by Really Good Music, LLC and Hip-Bone Music.
Performances and exhibitions
Recordings:
Oswego Jazz Project--
Oswego Jazz Project (2007)
And the Time is Now (2008)
Ideation (2012)
Compositions/Arrangements available at: www.reallygoodmusic.com
Education
B.M.: Performance (Percussion); minor in Jazz Studies
University of Northern Iowa
B.A.: Russian Language
University of Northern Iowa
M.M.: Jazz and Contemporary Media, writing emphasis
Eastman School of Music
D.M.A.: Jazz and Contemporary Media, writing/performance
Ethnomusicology Diploma
Eastman School of Music
Teachers:
Jazz Composition/Arranging:
Bill Dobbins
Fred Sturm
Bob Washut
Drum set/Percussion:
Rich Thompson
Randy Hogancamp
Bob Arms
Classes taught
Director - Oswego State Jazz Ensemble and Latin Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Studies
Music Theory
Drum Set