College of Liberal Arts

University of Minnesota,

Twin Cities Campus

Dean Sorenson

Teaching Faculty: Jazz Studies

• 236 Ferguson Hall
• 612/624-2334
• E-mail: soren048@umn.edu

Dean Sorenson (b. 1963) is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota as well as a prolific and highly sought-after composer, arranger, trombonist, educator, and clinician. He received his bachelor’s degree in trombone performance from the University of Minnesota and his master’s degree in jazz arranging and composition from the Eastman School of Music.

Mr. Sorenson is the co-author of the highly successful Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method, an innovative and comprehensive method book for young jazz ensembles. The  highly anticipated follow-up book, Standard of Excellence Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method, was released to rave reviews and continues the solid, practical techniques introduced in the first book. He is also the author of Standard of Excellence Jazz Combo Session, and composer of numerous pieces for concert band and jazz ensemble published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. As an advocate of jazz education and the expansion of the repertoire, he continues to develop creative materials and methods to help students and teachers better understand the art form.  An outstanding clinician, conductor, and soloist, he is frequently featured at festivals and conventions around the country and abroad. He also maintains a full schedule of concert and recording dates as a Yamaha performing artist.

Mr. Sorenson has composed and arranged for numerous ensembles including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Airmen of Note, the United States Air Force Band, and for brass ensembles Proteus 7 and the Chestnut Brass Company. He is active as a commissioned composer and arranger for jazz ensemble, concert band, and chamber ensembles, and has also written several sacred choral pieces. Dean is listed in “Who’s Who of America’s Teachers”, and holds memberships in the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE), a member of the International Trombone Association (ITA), the American Federation of Musicians, Local 30-73 (AFM), the Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC), Minnesota Music Educator’s Association (MMEA), the College Music Society (CMS), the American Composer’s Forum (ACF) and the Twin Cities Jazz Society (TCJS). For more information please visit www.deansorensonmusic.com.