Jazz educator Dean Sorenson is also a prolific and highly sought-after composer, arranger, trombonist, and clinician. He received his undergraduate 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. Dean has authored collections of jazz charts for elementary school students as well as a series of ensemble methods for middle and high school students. As a performer, Dean appears at festivals and conventions, and tours and records as a Yamaha performing artist. Sorenson has composed and arranged for numerous ensembles including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Airmen of Note, the United States Air Force Band, and the Minnesota Orchestra. A commissioned composer and arranger for jazz ensemble, concert band, and chamber ensembles, he has also written several sacred choral pieces.  Jazz bands at the University of Minnesota play a wide variety of big band repertoire and perform for many events, both on and off campus.  The bands feature traditional big band instruments: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion.