STEPHENVILLE (February 9, 2016) — In preparation for an upcoming international performance tour of Italy, Tarleton State University’s Jazz Ensemble presents a series of public concerts to fine tune its repertoire and to garner support for students participating in the 10-day trip to Europe.
Tarleton Jazz Ensembles I and II invite the public to the first concert of the spring semester at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium. The concert features the music of contemporary jazz giants Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays.
General admission is $5, and donations at the door will help cover students’ travel expenses to Italy.
Under the direction of Assistant Professor and Director of Jazz Bands Greg Ball, the ensemble travels to Italy May 12-22 for five performances. Several vocal performance majors will accompany the jazz band.
This is the first time in 15 years that Tarleton’s Jazz Ensemble has traveled abroad, Ball said, with past tours in Ireland, the Czech Republic, Austria and England. This summer’s trip includes concerts in Villa d’Este in Tivoli, the Enoteca of the Banfi Castle in Montalcino, the Aula Magna at the Università degli Studi di Perugia and Florence’s Loggia del Porcellino. The trip concludes with a performance at Chiosco Giardini Savelli in Cesena.
As part of their travels, students will immerse themselves in Italian culture and history, with visits to the historic city of Rome and Vatican City, St. Francis’ Bascilica in Assissi, and several World Heritage sites in Ravenna—home to cathedrals featuring Byzantine mosaics.
“The tour will be a great chance for our students to perform for an international audience and visit one of the most culturally rich areas of the world,” Ball said. “I love taking students overseas. I know our alumni who traveled in the past have some absolutely fabulous memories. It was a life-changing event for them. I look forward to sharing this trip with these fine young musicians.”
In addition to the Feb. 18 concert, the Tarleton Jazz Ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, as part of the 54th annual Tarleton Jazz Festival. Featured guest pianist Josh Hanlon headlines with the band for this concert at the Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium.
On Tuesday, March 22, the Tarleton Jazz Band and student vocalists perform at 7:30 p.m. in Fort Worth at The Live Oak Music Hall, 1311 Lipscomb St. This popular venue has hosted the Tarleton jazz group several times in recent years, providing a great opportunity for alumni in the Metroplex to enjoy an evening of great music.
An Italy Tour Preview Concert, highlighting the international repertoire ahead of the trip to Europe, concludes the band’s spring concert series. The preview concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the Fine Arts Center Auditorium. Monetary contributions will be accepted at the door to help pay students’ travel expenses to Italy.
To learn more about Jazz Ensembles at Tarleton, visit http://www.tarleton.edu/COLFAWEB/band/ensembles/jazz.html. Individuals who would like to support the band’s trip to Italy may contact Greg Ball at 254-968-9828 to discuss ways to help the musicians ahead of their international tour.
“I hope our alumni, especially those who traveled with the band in the past, will help this current group,” said Ball. “I know how much it meant to our former students to receive help when they were at Tarleton. This is an excellent opportunity to give back in a way that will profoundly impact these students’ lives.”
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