The Jazz Arts Collective, Standards Ensemble and Mainstream Ensemble of Hope College will perform on Wednesday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The program will begin with the Mainstream Ensemble performing “Body and Soul,” by Heyman and Green, and “So Long, Eric,” by Charles Mingus. The Mainstream Ensemble is directed by Rob Hodson, who is an associate professor of music and chairperson of the department, and includes senior Zach Pedigo of Chippewa Falls, Wis., bass; junior Michael Reynolds of Tampa, Fla., piano; and junior Wayne Titus of Canton, drums.
Next, the Standards Ensemble will perform “Rain Waltz,” by Fred Hersch, and “Bolivia,” by Cedar Walton. The Standards Ensemble is directed by Brian Coyle, who is a professor of music and director of the jazz studies area at Hope, and includes sophomore Jared DeMeester of Grand Rapids, bass; senior Larry Figueroa of Holland, piano; junior Luke Panning of Holland, violin; and junior David Webster, drums.
The Jazz Arts Collective will close the show by performing “Rocker,” by Gerry Mulligan; “Desafinado,” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, arranged by Matt Harris; “Mine is Yours,” Bob Mintzer; and “Reunion,” by Gigo Gryce, arranged Alan Ferber. The Jazz Arts Collective is directed by Brian Coyle, and the performers include: freshman Scott Cathey of Ada, trumpet; Jared DeMeester, bass; sophomore Michael Graverson of Hamilton, guitar; sophomore Daniel Langholz of Ramstein, Germany, trombone; freshman Jarred Mackey of Jenison, percussion; freshman Matthew Milliken of Fenton, alto saxophone; sophomore Christian Nikkel of Holland, guitar; Zach Pedigo, tenor saxophone; Michael Reynolds, piano; senior Jeff Sweers of Jenison, trombone; and Wayne Titus, drums.
The jazz chamber ensembles (Standards Ensemble and Mainstream Ensemble) afford students the opportunity to perform in the classic small-group combo setting. The ensembles vary in size and instrumentation and place a creative focus on improvisation and group communication. All of the ensembles perform works from the classic jazz repertoire. The more advanced jazz chamber ensembles also perform repertoire from the contemporary jazz world. These ensembles also place an emphasis on original student and faculty compositions. The jazz chamber ensembles are open to anyone interested, regardless of experience with jazz.
The Jazz Arts Collective is the premier large jazz ensemble at Hope College. The collective places a creative focus on ensemble communication and improvisation. Comprised of a rhythm section and flexible instrumentation, this select group performs compositions and arrangements from across the full spectrum of music. The collective’s repertoire ranges from the great historical jazz composers such as Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, to works by modern jazz masters like Vince Mendoza, Jim McNeely and John Hollenbeck. The Jazz Arts Collective frequently performs commissions, works by emerging young composers, and originals by Hope College faculty and students. The ensemble also collectively reinterprets and re-imagines the music from the 20th century classical repertoire.
Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located at 277 College Ave., on College Avenue at 12th Street.