WT Jazz Bands to Offer ‘Full Spectrum’ Concert April 16

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - The West Texas A&M University jazz bands will offer an evening of Pat Metheny and other musical greats in an upcoming free concert.

Jazz Band I and II will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 16 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT's Canyon campus.

"Our students have put in an incredible amount of work this semester to prepare a program that spans the full spectrum of the jazz ensemble tradition from swing to funk to contemporary big band music," said Dr. James Barger, associate professor of saxophone in the School of Music in WT's Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. "It's a concert designed to connect with all audiences, and we're excited to share it with the community."

Jazz Band I, directed by Doug Storey, associate professor of clarinet, will perform "The Way You Look Tonight" by Jerome Kern; "Have You Heard," "Look Ahead" and "The Gathering Sky" by Metheny; and "Green Dolphin Street" by Bronislau Kaper.

Members include Dillon Martin, a senior music performance major from Odessa; Joseph Fondren, a senior music performance major from Arlington; Orlando Moreno, a senior music technology major from Stamford; Adrian Perez, a sophomore music education major from Laredo; Trace Freeman, a sophomore music education major from Crosbyton; Faustino Lara, a graduate student in music performance from Palestine; Adrian Padilla, a sophomore music education major from Midland; Travyn Phillips, a freshman music education and performance major from Dumas; Micah Carter, a senior music education major from Houston; Taylor Martindell, a junior music technology major from Amarillo; Christofer Gaspar, a sophomore music education major from Amarillo; Cayden Chazarreta, a junior music education major from Fort Worth; Shawn Villatoro a sophomore music education major from Fort Worth; Catherine Dockery, a senior music therapy major from Wichita Falls; Rosemary Orozco, a senior music education major from Amarillo; Ezekiel Luera, a sophomore music education major from Fort Worth; and Payton Hayes, a senior music education major from Midland.

Jazz Band II, directed by Barger, will perform "Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey!!" by Jason Marshall, "Every Summer Night" by Metheny, "Central Park North" by Thad Jones, "Ya Gotta Try" by Sammy Nestico" and "Count Bubba's Revenge" by Gordon Goodwin.

Members include Aaron Erickson, a graduate student in music performance from Colorado Springs, Colorado; Nathan Ferris, a junior music education major from Lubbock; Jacob Valencia, a junior music education major from El Paso; Cooper Allen, a sophomore music education major from College Station; Winter Hartnett, a junior music performance and education major from Bryan; Logan Lofink, a sophomore music education major from Panhandle; Elijah Keast, a sophomore music education major from Odessa; Traycee Stewart, a sophomore music education major from Bowie; Kevin Olivas, a junior digital communication and media major from Amarillo; Sean Quinones, a junior music education major from Lubbock; Victor Vargas, a sophomore music performance major from Dumas; Domingo Ornelas, a junior music education major from Midland; Jordan Medina, a freshman music performance major from Fort Worth; Riley Spalding, a junior music performance from Amarillo; Kaleb Evans, a sophomore music therapy major from Flower Mound; Hayelan Birkenfeld, a freshman music education major from Amarillo; Mason McWest, a senior music education major from Amarillo; and Santana Moreno, a freshman music education major from Stamford.

For information, call 806-651-2840.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is a key component of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: Doug Storey leads a rehearsal for West Texas A&M University's Jazz Band I, which will perform April 16.

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