Mike Conrad w/ The Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra

Schedule

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025 at 07:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

1326 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa 50309 | Des Moines, IA

Advertisement
The IJCO is a big band made up of the very best jazz musicians from all over the state, dedicated to playing original music by Iowa composers. With members from Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, the Quad Cities, and everywhere in between, it’s truly special when this powerful group gets together to play.
Dedicated to playing original music by Iowa writers, the IJCO is proud to program pieces by prolific seasoned veteran composers like Bob Washut and John Rapson as well as younger writers like Nate Sparks and Paul Lichty.
---
Mike Conrad is a composer, improviser, and teacher from Iowa. He has been recognized for his arranging and composing with four ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards and seven DownBeat Awards, as well as awards and commissions from the Contemporary Music Academy in Beijing, the Bundesjazzorchester of Germany, the West Point Army Jazz Knights, and many other organizations. Conrad’s music has been performed all over the world, including a 2017 concert by the Metropole Orkest in the Netherlands, a 2014 Carnegie Hall octet premiere, and a string quartet performance at the US Presidential Inauguration in 2013. Some recent career highlights include winning the SONIC Award from the International Society of Arrangers and Composers for his piece “Flyover,” collaborating on an hour-long recomposition of Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony with the incredibly creative Stegreif Orchester of Berlin, and releasing recordings with both the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra and the Mike Conrad Trio.
Equally accomplished on both trombone and piano, Conrad truly loves collaborating with other musicians, and always brings his creativity and expressiveness to everything he does. In addition to his own projects as a leader, Conrad regularly performs regionally with several groups such as Chris Merz’s Quartet, the Bob Washut ‘Emeritet,’ and the Max Wellman Big Band, and has also collaborated with musicians like Louis Hayes, Alexa Tarantino, and Alex Sipiagin. Conrad is in high demand as a clinician and guest director for jazz bands, with recent experiences including a residency at the University of New Hampshire, and directing the 2023 4A Iowa All-State Jazz Band.
Dr. Conrad earned degrees from the University Northern Iowa (BM and BME), the Eastman School of Music (MM), and the University of Northern Colorado (DA). He is currently serving as Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa, where he directs Jazz Band Two and teaches courses/lessons in Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Pedagogy, Jazz Methods, Jazz Theory, Jazz Piano, Jazz Composition, and Jazz Arranging.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

1326 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa 50309

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Noce

Host or Publisher Noce

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Des Moines

Drake Bulldogs vs. St. Thomas University Tommies
Fri, 07 Nov at 06:00 pm Drake Bulldogs vs. St. Thomas University Tommies

Drake Stadium - Des Moines

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes
Fri, 07 Nov at 06:00 pm Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

Hoyt Sherman Place Theater

ART THEATRE
Anthony Gomes
Fri, 07 Nov at 06:00 pm Anthony Gomes

xBk Live

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Helen Keaney
Fri, 07 Nov at 06:00 pm Helen Keaney

Funny Bone Comedy Club - Des Moines

COMEDY
Paula Poundstone at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium
Fri, 07 Nov Paula Poundstone at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium

Hoyt Sherman Auditorium

Paula Poundstone at Hoyt Sherman Place
Fri, 07 Nov at 07:30 pm Paula Poundstone at Hoyt Sherman Place

Hoyt Sherman Place

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Paula Poundstone
Sat, 08 Nov Paula Poundstone

Hoyt Sherman Place

TRIPS-ADVENTURES CONTESTS
Born To Run 5K Run\/Walk
Sat, 08 Nov at 09:00 am Born To Run 5K Run/Walk

Confluence Brewing Company

MARATHONS SPORTS
Midnight Karaoke
Sat, 04 Jan at 12:00 am Midnight Karaoke

THE GARDEN

MUSIC KARAOKE
Return to Wholeness - A Breath, Music & Energy Workshop
Thu, 20 Mar at 09:00 am Return to Wholeness - A Breath, Music & Energy Workshop

Des Moines Virtual via Zoom

WORKSHOPS VIRTUAL
Labor Day Weekend at Sleepy Hollow with 3 Pints Gone
Sat, 30 Aug at 10:00 am Labor Day Weekend at Sleepy Hollow with 3 Pints Gone

The Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow

LABOR-DAY
2025 Labor Day Parade
Mon, 01 Sep at 11:00 am 2025 Labor Day Parade

Lucas State Office Building

PARADES LABOR-DAY
Greg Koch Masterclass (before the Koch Marshall Trio show)
Tue, 02 Sep at 05:00 pm Greg Koch Masterclass (before the Koch Marshall Trio show)

1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311-4331, United States

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Live Performance by Sierra Marin, Trevmental, & Sound bath by All Love
Tue, 02 Sep at 05:30 pm Live Performance by Sierra Marin, Trevmental, & Sound bath by All Love

Unity Church of Des Moines

HEMA German Longsword Class Indoor Session
Tue, 02 Sep at 06:30 pm HEMA German Longsword Class Indoor Session

2200 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310-3954, United States

WORKSHOPS MUSIC
Greg Koch with the Koch Marshall Trio
Tue, 02 Sep at 07:00 pm Greg Koch with the Koch Marshall Trio

1159 24th Street Des Moines IA 50311

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
2000's Music Bingo @ Dugan's Hideaway \/ The Station On Ingersoll (Des Moines) - Tues Sept 2nd @ 7pm
Tue, 02 Sep at 07:00 pm 2000's Music Bingo @ Dugan's Hideaway / The Station On Ingersoll (Des Moines) - Tues Sept 2nd @ 7pm

The Station on Ingersoll

BINGO TAYLOR-SWIFT
The DM Project @ DSM Biergarten (DSM) - SEPT 3rd
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:00 pm The DM Project @ DSM Biergarten (DSM) - SEPT 3rd

Des Moines Biergarten

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
NOLA Jazz Duo
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:00 pm NOLA Jazz Duo

Louie's Wine Dive Des Moines

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC BINGO @ Wellman's Pub (Ingersoll Ave-Des Moines, IA) \/ Wednesdays @ 7pm
Wed, 03 Sep at 07:00 pm MUSIC BINGO @ Wellman's Pub (Ingersoll Ave-Des Moines, IA) / Wednesdays @ 7pm

Wellman's Pub

BINGO MUSIC

What's Happening Next in Des Moines?

Discover Des Moines Events