By Ezran Meinelschmidt
The Chamber Strings, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Jazz Ensemble, and Commercial Music Ensemble were all featured on November 1st during the Instrumental Music Department’s Small Ensembles Concert. These groups did not confine themselves to classical music, and, in an impressive demonstration of skill and dedication, performed pieces from across the decades with a variety of styles, moods, and tempos. They were able to create a vivacious atmosphere for the audience.
They featured a flute duet, performed by Lucy Ficklin and Eliana Johns, that elegantly played Allegro and Menuett (by Ludwig Van Beethoven). The String Quintet played a suspenseful-sounding piece titled Palladio (by Karl Jenkins). The Electric Ensemble had a stunning performance of Bohemian Rhapsody (by Freddie Mercury), where they worked beautifully together. The Jazz Combo had come up with their combination song without the assistance of a teacher, which they had titled “Something” with a 1920s Jazz vibe to it.
There had been a performance by the Jazz Ensemble of a ten-minute song named Cold Duck Time (by Eddie Harris, arr. by Alan Baylock) which was upbeat and fast-moving and also featured solos of Zach Rossi on the guitar and Ryan Barrett on the tenor saxophone. Along with Cold Duck Time, they had played an arrangement of Over the Rainbow, which then featured a duet of Amber Evans and Camille Sandeen where they had imitated the vocals on their trumpets.
The last three songs performed by the Commercial Ensemble featured Eliza Gregory, Jayden Hess, and Claire Freeman doing vocals for the songs they had performed. The commercial band was lively, and they all seemed excited to be there and be part of the concert.
Overall, the Small Ensembles Concert was well received and worth the time as you can feel the melodies in your bones and see what these students have worked hard to achieve. Congratulations to the Upperclassmen Instrumentalists for a truly amazing performance!
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