Loyola is fortunate in having a professional faculty jazz ensemble. All members have extensive backgrounds and continue to be active in the jazz and commercial fields. Guest artists of international reputation perform with students and conduct master classes during the annual Loyola University Jazz Ensemble Festival. Among the many graduates of the Loyola jazz studies program are Ellis Marsalis, Antonio Garcia, and Rick Margitza. The major in vocal performance at Loyola offers a wide variety of opportunities for participation and individual growth.
Private study enables the student to present junior and senior recitals at a professional level.
The College of Music offers an applied faculty of exceptional quality, all of whom are respected performers themselves. A performance major is expected to achieve proficiency in the three major singing languages French, German, and Italian in addition to English. The Loyola Chorale, Chamber Singers, and University Chorus perform demanding repertoire and afford many solo opportunities for qualified students. Loyola Opera Theatre provides stage experience in a wide variety of repertoire extending from musical comedy and operetta to fully staged opera productions with an orchestra. New Orleans wealth of professional performing organizations, including the Louisiana Philhar-monic Orchestra, make Loyola a logical choice for the aspiring instrumental performer.