Ball State University's Jazz Lab Ensemble will perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the world's largest music festival, in July as part of the group's European tour.

"The Montreux Jazz Festival is the leading jazz festival in the world," said Larry McWilliams, music professor and ensemble director. "This will be the band's fourth appearance at the festival, which stands as a testimonial to the band and the jazz program at Ball State."

The band will play at three world-renowned international jazz festivals, giving more than 10 concerts in six cities in France, Switzerland and Italy.

Highlights of the 10-day tour include:

• Vienne Jazz Festival, France, July 7
• Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, July 9-10
• Umbria Jazz Festival, Italy, July 12

To prepare for the tour, 20 students spent a week prior to the departure in rigorous rehearsal sessions, McWilliams said.

The application process for the Montreux Jazz Festival began in October 2003 when the band sent an audition tape to the festival's committee. Six months later, the band was notified that it had been selected.

"The jury selected Ball State because we are a swinging jazz band," McWilliams said. "You can tell from the beginning if the band has it or if it doesn't. You don't have to wait 10 minutes to find out if they're going to swing."

The band features several soloists while delivering a balanced, homogeneous sound. The students also have bright and exciting personalities, he said.

While some musicians are relatively new, several have been in the band for several years. "There is always a problem when you lose a person in the band, but we have three bands running full time," he said. "Our collegiate band has the reputation of being one of the best in the United States."

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact McWilliams at lmcwilli@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5436.)

by Pariphan Uawithya