Allen Carter has a diverse background as a composer, arranger, drummer, percussionist and ...

Allen Carter has a diverse background as a composer, arranger, drummer, percussionist and educator. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Kansas State University, and his Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. A member of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers and the Film Music Network, Dr. Carter’s work as a composer/arranger includes CBS Television’s Motown Records specials, the cable television series Humonos, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Miss America pageant, commercials, and documentaries for the department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Allen's two CD's, "Gifts" and "Time On My Hands" have both received extensive critical acclaim and have found their way to the annual "Top 10" lists of several radio stations.

Dr. David Ferreira is Professor Emeritus at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he t...

Dr. David Ferreira is Professor Emeritus at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he taught from 1974-2004 and currently teaches keyboard improvisation at MSUM and Concordia College. He pursued his Bachelor of Music degree at Illinois Wesleyan, has done graduate work at Union Theological Seminary's School of Sacred Music in New York City and received his master's and doctoral degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Dr. Ferreira is a performing singer, conductor, published composer-arranger and jazz pianist. He performed with the Fargo/Moorhead Jazz Arts Group ensembles for 17 years, and directs the Cathedral Choir at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.

Doug Neill is currently the adjunct bass and tuba instructor at MSUM. He has spent the pa...

Doug Neill is currently the adjunct bass and tuba instructor at MSUM. He has spent the past 32 years as a teacher in Minnesota public schools teaching band, choir, elementary music and orchestra. He is presently an orchestra teacher in the Moorhead public schools. Mr. Neill holds a degree in Music Education from North Dakota State University, and it was during his years there that he spent a summer in the Disney World All-American College Band. As the bass player in that group, he performed with various well-known artists such as Bobby Shew, Steve Houghton and Rob McConnell. During that same summer, he studied with Sam Pilafian on tuba as part of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In 2012 Mr. Neill earned his Masters Degree in Music Education from Minnesota State university Moorhead. Locally, he has performed as a bass player in the Fargo-Moorhead Jazz Arts Group, the Dick King Band, Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome and many other groups. Mr. Neill has also been the Principal Tubist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony since 1981.

Dr. Tom Strait is has been a faculty member at MSUM since 2001. He teaches trumpet, trombo...

Dr. Tom Strait is has been a faculty member at MSUM since 2001. He teaches trumpet, trombone and euphonium, and serves as director of the MSUM Jazz Ensemble. He also teaches courses in aural skills, jazz improvisation, and music appreciation. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in trumpet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as degrees from the University of Texas and Henderson State University. Before coming to MSUM, he taught for several years at both the university and public school levels and served in the U.S. Air Force, performing with the USAF Academy Falconaires. He is currently Principal Trumpet with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and is an active free lance performer in the region. Tom Strait is a Yamaha Performing Artist.