The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents an Instrumental Music Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in The Mendel Center's Hanson Theatre on the Benton Harbor campus.
This eclectic concert features performances by LMC's Rock/Pop Ensemble under the direction of Don Savoie, Tailwinds under the direction of Danny Lopez, Chamber String Ensemble under the direction of Jason Gresl, and Jazz Band under the direction of Robert Lunn.
"The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department is thrilled to be highlighting four very different but equally excellent instrumental music ensembles," LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair Kris Zook said. "It's encouraging to see so much passion from our LMC students for creating musical performances that our whole community can enjoy."
The Rock/Pop Ensemble of Brady Bushong (percussion, bass); Matthew Grimm (guitar, vocals); Kayla Cramatie (vocals); Andree Quiñones (piano, vocals), Logan Roland (percussion, bass); Russell Smith (guitar); and Savoie (guitar, piano) will perform songs such as "Isn't She Lovely," by Stevie Wonder, "I Put Your Picture Away," by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock," and "In Bloom" by Nirvana.
Tailwinds, the ensemble featuring Kalysta Schwartz (flute); Emily Mikel-Rowe (clarinet); Alexander Manley (baritone saxophone); Zook (baritone saxophone); Adam Karnik (trumpet); and Christian Holmes (percussion) will perform Tom Kenny's "The Moment You've Been Waiting For!" from "SpongeBob SquarePants," Ludwig van Beethoven's Allegro from Trio, Op. 87, and Koby Israelite and Henry Ernst's "Song for Noga."
LMC's newest instrumental group, the Chamber String Ensemble, featuring Peg Pinkowski (violin); Dezmin Marshall (violin); Forrest Miesse (viola); and Eric Keeler (cello) will perform César Avilés' "Andante," Johann Baptist Vanhal's "Petite Trio," and Sarah Flower Adams' "Nearer, My God, To Thee."
"The LMC String Ensemble's debut semester focused on finding a group sound and the intricacies of musical phrasing to tell captivating stories," Gresl said. "The repertoire highlights their dedicated work."
LMC's Jazz Band, which closes out the night, features Brady Bushong (percussion, guitar); Jason Dubs (piano); Matthew Grimm (guitar); Jeremy Lane (percussion); Andrew Lunn (bass, guitar, vocals); and Robert Lunn (guitar).
Among the band's program highlights are the original "Funky Improvisation," Duke Ellington's classic "Satin Doll," Tom Waits, and Kathleen Brennan's "Hoist That Rag," and Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk."
Admission is free, and the concert is open to the public. A suggested donation of $5 or a new unwrapped toy will be collected at the door to benefit Toys for Tots.
To learn more about this event and Lake Michigan College's Visual & Performing Arts program, call (269) 927-8876 or visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/arts.
