The Hope College Jazz Chamber Ensembles will perform on Monday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Wichers Auditorium of Nykerk Hall of Music followed by the Jazz Arts Collective at 9 p.m. at Butch’s Restaurant in downtown Holland.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The Mainstream Ensemble is coached by Rob Hodson, professor of music, and includes freshman Quinn Humphrey of Byron Center, drums; senior Matt Milliken of Roscommon, tenor saxophone; sophomore Josiah Panning of Holland, bass; and senior Andrew Valesano of Sherwood, Oregon, piano.
The Contemporary Ensemble is coached by Brian Coyle, professor of music and director of jazz studies, and includes freshman Brad Baker of Middleville, drums; junior Carsten Forester of Holland, bass; senior Mike Graverson of Hamilton, guitar; junior Colin Rensch of Kalamazoo, piano; and sophomore Manna Shintani of Tokyo, Japan, violin.
The Jazz Arts Collective is also coached by Brian Coyle and includes sophomore Jamie Baarman of Holland, voice; Carsten Forester, bass; Mike Graverson, guitar; Quinn Humphrey, drums; senior Jake Kalmink of Zeeland, sax/samples/turntable; freshman Meredith Lind of Westerville, Ohio, cello; Matt Milliken, saxophones; Colin Rensch, keyboards; Manna Shintani, violin; and Andrew Valesano, piano.
The jazz chamber ensembles 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. They also place an emphasis on original student and faculty compositions. All ensembles are coached by members of the Hope jazz faculty. 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 wind/string 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 faculty and students. The ensemble also collectively reinterprets and re-imagines the music from the 20th century classical repertoire.
Nykerk Hall of Music is located in the central Hope campus at the former 127 E. 12th St. between College and Columbia avenues. Butch’s Restaurant is located at 44 E. Eighth St. in downtown Holland.