Gran Manhart

Dr. Grant L. Manhart is Assistant Professor of High Brass and Assistant Director of Bands at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and Literature with minors in Music History and Jazz Studies from Indiana University, a Master's degree in Trumpet Performance with a minor in Jazz Studies from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor's degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Manhart has performed as a professional trumpet artist extensively in addition to his academic pursuits, including tours with "Buddy Rich Band", Tito Puente, Carol Channing, Rita Moreno, Herb Jeffries, June Valli, and Carmine Cavallero. He spent a season on Broadway with Dreamgirls.

He has performed as principal Trumpet with the Bloomington, South Bend, Kokomo, Elkhart (Indiana), and Aberdeen (South Dakota) Symphonies. He toured Puerto Rico twice with Dr. Mariano Morales and his Latin Jazz group "Salsa Picante". Additionally he has composed and arranged numerous works for jazz ensemble and pep band. He has appeared numerous times at the Wisconsin Varsity Band Spring Concert, having been a member of the Wisconsin Marching Band 1977-81 and distinguished winner of the 1977 Karl Strieby Award.

Current projects include a South Dakota "Governor's Technology Grant" for teaching music over digital media, a method of teaching jazz improvisation to young musicians, and organizing a marching band plan for the University of Alberta (Canada). He runs "Dr. Manhart's Summer Jazz Workshop", in conjunction with the Elkhart (Indiana) Jazz Festival every June.