On Friday, April 17, Geneseo's Wind and Thursday Night Jazz Ensembles took the Wadsworth Auditorium stage to perform a concert of American, Spanish, Armenian and English music.
Conducted by professor James Walker, the Wind Ensemble began with an exciting rendition of William Walton's Crown Imperial: A Coronation March.
The second - and definitely most interesting of the pieces - was entitled "Soleriana," composed by Carlos Surinach. The song featured an introduction and seven different parts, or "differentia," all with a different mood and variation on a common theme. Surinach wrote the song based on "The Fandango" by Padre Antonio Soler.
The final piece performed by the ensemble was a series of Armenian dances, composed by Alfred Reed. The first movement entitled "Hov Arek," or "The Peasant's Plea" started out almost ominously, but quickly picked up to a sort of fantastical feel. The second and third movements, "Khoomar" (Wedding Dance) and "Lorva Horovel" (Songs from Lori), respectively, both challenged the ensemble and kept the audience interested in their dynamic performance.
After intermission, the Jazz Ensemble took the stage under the direction of professor Jonathan Kruger. The set of five songs began with a high-energy rendition of Jeff Jarvis' "Los Galanes," which featured sophomore Keith Osgood on trombone, senior William Jones III on guitar and sophomore Ellyn Jameson on baritone saxophone.
The second song, entitled "The Man I Love" by George and Ira Gershwin, was a treat for the audience because it featured junior Victoria Walsh on vocals. Walsh's voice not only blended well with the backing ensemble, but was also smooth and powerful, reminiscent of the late singer Billie Holiday.
The Jazz Ensemble performed three more compositions throughout the evening, including "Spring Cleaning" by Matt Harris, "Terry's Song" by Greg Yasinsky and "There's Not Enough Weeks in the Day" by Bill Liston. The last song by Liston, featuring freshman Stephen Roff on tenor saxophone, was by far the most dynamic piece performed at the show; it was a powerful end to a showcase of talented students.
Whether students went to the performance to enrich their experience in their music classes or just wanted to see their friends on stage, everyone left the auditorium sufficiently entertained. "I usually just go to these concerts for my music history class," said freshman James Baker, "but this show was really good."