ENMU performers prep for Fall Jazz Concert

STAFF REPORT

Wednesday evening will see an event that will allow Eastern New Mexico University music students to gain valuable experience whilst exposing the public to a genre of music they are primarily unfamiliar with, according to the music professor coordinating the event.

ENMU Assistant Professor of Music Richard Schwartz said that the 2016 Fall Jazz Concert — taking place at 7 p.m. at the university’s Buchanan Hall — holds several benefits for the young performers.

“Primarily, they gain valuable performance experience in the jazz idiom. They also benefit from a concentrated effort to prepare for this event,” said Schwartz. “The gestalt, or sum of these experiences, builds a stronger music performer and educator.”

According to Schwartz, the concert will feature the Eastern Jazz Combos and the Eastern Jazz Ensemble performing a diverse array of works, including “Twisted Blues” by John “Wes” Montgomery and “Moanin’” by Charles Mingus.

“The students in the Eastern Jazz Combos chose their own works, in order for them to have ‘skin in the game.’ In regards to the Eastern Jazz Ensemble, I selected the first two works; however, I followed through on a student request for ‘Moanin,’’” he said.

Schwartz added that the community has an opportunity through the concert to hear jazz in a place where there are not many opportunities to hear it performed live.

“There does not seem to be much live jazz around our region, and the excitement of this event may encourage community members to explore more jazz artists and their recordings,” he said.

Schwartz added that, in addition to being free, the event “is going to be a fun concert for the whole family.”

The ENMU music department is also holding two large instrumental concerts in November: The Big Band Dance on November 11 at the State Theater in Clovis, and the POPS Concert on November 12 at ENMU’s Campus Union Building.