VIU Jazz Ensemble trumpeters Dean Boland (l-r), Joel Reimer and Amelia Thomas rehearse a new jazz they will play Nov. 25 during VIU’s Fall Music Showcase.
November 20, 2014 - 2:45pm
Students in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Jazz Music program are preparing some hot jazz to warm their audiences over a three-night VIU Fall Music Showcase Nov. 24, 25, and 26 at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. Concerts begin at 7:30 pm with admission by donation.
Jazz combos directed by Pat Coleman will take the stage Monday, Nov. 24, joined by the College Singers directed by Rosemary Lindsay.
Jazz fans will be treated to the world premiere of a new work performed by the jazz ensemble, directed by Greg Bush. Students in the ensemble began working with Vancouver Island jazz saxophonist and composer Monik Nordine in September to create a new piece of music, titled “Because of You.”
Bush received a grant from VIU’s Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning to bring Nordine into the classroom, where students benefited from the experience of collaborating on a new composition with a professional musician.
“The students were quite excited to have somebody come in and write music specifically for their group,” Bush says. “The funds came from the LITE grant, which stands for Learning, Innovation and Teaching Enhancement.”
The final concert in the series will showcase the vocal chops of the vocal jazz ensemble directed by Rosemary Lindsay. The singers will be joined by the Nanaimo Musicians Association’s Big Band, directed by Bryan Stovell, who chairs VIU’s Jazz Music program.
“Come out prepared for some great entertainment,” Stovell says. “We have exceptional talent each night, which will certainly be appreciated by jazz and music lovers seeking a great night out while supporting our students in the hard work they’ve put in this fall.”
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT:
Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
P:250.740.6443 C: 250.618.1535 E: Communications@viu.ca
Tags: In the Community
