On November 12, 2009 I attended a concert in Kobacker Hall. The Jazz Lab Band II performed many different selections of jazz music. They started the concert off with a tune called A Warm Breeze. This piece featured many soloists such as trumpet, tenor saxophone, and piano. The next song, Samantha, featured the alto saxophone. This was one of my favorites because it had a very nice melody. The song played after that was called Come Rain or Come Shine. The director of the ensemble talked about the lyrics to the song and how much he loved them. The next piece was called All Blues and was originally written by Miles Davis and arranged by Mendoza. This particular piece was written for the movie Love Actually. The next song performed was by far my favorite and was composed by Jonathon Torrence, who happens to be one of the trumpets players in the band. The piece was called The Cool and featured the rhythm section, two trumpet, and a tenor saxophone. The second to last piece was called Satin and Glass. This featured the flugal horn. The very last piece performed was called Grooving Hard. This was one of the few upbeat pieces played. It featured guitar, and two tenor saxophone solos. Jazz music is one of my favorite types of music and I really enjoyed this concert.
Lauren Oberle
BGSU 1000
On September 2nd at 8 pm, Nathaniel Zeisler played a bassoon recital in Bryan Recital Hall. Along with playing music, Zeisler played a slideshow. The slideshow gave details about important political issues in the world. The issue I remember the most is world hunger because it brought tears to my eyes. Zeisler’s playing made the slideshow’s points very powerful in this section. His recital reminded me of the power of music in all situations. I do not think the powerpoint would have been as effective if the piece that accompanied it was not played. As musicians, we have power over human emotions. For example, the music in a movie scene can set the tone. If a scene is supposed to be heart breaking, it would not make sense to play “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Zeisler reminded me that this power can be used to spread knowledge and create powerful emotions about important topics.
Caitlin Guenther
Jazz Lab 1
On November 10 I went to the Jazz Lab 1 concert. I really enjoy listening to jazz and this was the first time that I had heard the Jazz Lab band here. It was amazing! I didn’t realize how good it was. The saxophones seemed to be perfectly together and in tune with each other. There were also some very good solos by all the instruments. They played a lot of Duke Elington stuff. Jazz Lab seems very relaxed. There isn’t a conductor in front of the band constantly beating out the beats. He just starts them and then he moves off to the side. He also may adjust some of the microphones while he’s walking around. I thought that was pretty cool. It gives the performers a lot of freedom. I thought the concert was really good, and I can’t wait to go to their next performance.
Jonathan Torrence’s recital took place on November 22, 2009 at 6 o’clock P.M. Jonathan Torrence is a trumpet player as am I, and he is studying for a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education, which I am studying for as well. I was very fortunate to be able to observe a performance of a fellow trumpet player. Jonathan Torrence is also in the same studio as I am; professor Lauraine Carpenter’s studio. This factor was very benificial because his recital allowed me to know what professor Lauraine expects of her students. Jonathan Torrence performed six pieces; two of which he composed by himself; a truly fortunate gift. The repertoire consisted of three movements of Concertino, Prelude et Ballade, No Difference, Caravan, Carry On, and Tuesday Wonderland. My favorite piece of the recital was No Difference composed by Jonathan Torrence. This piece was my favorite because when Jonathan performed it he came alive; it was as if he was speaking through his music. I believe that he performed that piece so well because it was his; it meant something to him, above and beyond the more classical style pieces he played.
On Tuesday November 3rd, I attended the BGSU Jazz Guitar Ensemble concert. This ensemble currently consisted of five guitar player, one drummer and a bass player. It was fun to hear the different styles and sounds that only a few different instruments could make. Although it was all jazz music, there are different styles of jazz, they played a variety. “The Days of Wine & Roses” was more bluesey while “Electric Dance” was much more upbeat and modern. It was fun because I have played “Satin Doll” before in my jazz band at home. It was fun to hear it played on guitars instead of saxophones, trombones and trumpets. It made it a slightly different style, but the song was all there. I like hearing different styles of music, and I have certainly never attended a jazz guitar concert before. It was a good experience for me.
Dr. Megan Fergusson is the viola professor here at BGSU. She has degrees in viola performance from Rice University, New England Conservatory, and Michigan State University. She is the director of the summer string camp here at BGSU. She has also performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Toledo Symphony. On Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, at 8pm she gave a recital in Bryan Hall. On the program was Concertpiece for viola and piano by George Enescu, A String Around Autumn by Toru Takemitsu/Hosokawa, and Sonata for viola and piano by Rebecca Clarke. Overall Dr. Fergusson was able to express her emotions very clearly. She played with passion and energy. Her dynamics had a very wide range and the color of her tone was very warm and focused. The Enescu was a very fluid piece and Dr. Fergusson was able to make that very clear in her movements as well as her playing. She used very long bow strokes and a very wide vibrato. The Takemitsu is a new music piece that has influences of traditional Japanese music. There were many interesting ways that the viola was played, like the use of harmonics. There were also many extreme intervals and shifts which added to the excitement of the piece. The Rebecca Clarke sonata was another energetic piece. It was full of surprising twists and turns ranging from the viola starting out pizzicato to whole passages of fiery string crossings. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of the recital.
When I went to the Faculty Artists Series featuring Megan Fergusson, Viola and Solungga Fang- Tzu Liu, Piano they played some very good music. It was just what the doctor ordered. The sound of the Viola just makes me feel more in sync with the rest of the world. I feel like as if though there are no problems in the world I just got immersed into the music. It was a feeling that I haven’t had in a long time well until the Illinois brass quintet came over and performed. But yes this was definitely one of the best music experiences that I have had in a long time. This event helped me to relax for the rest of the week. But when this has happened it made me think about how this is what I want all students that I hope to teach will feel about any experience with any style or form of music.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
On November 12, 2009 I attended a concert in Kobacker Hall. The Jazz Lab Band II performed many different selections of jazz music. They started the concert off with a tune called A Warm Breeze. This piece featured many soloists such as trumpet, tenor saxophone, and piano. The next song, Samantha, featured the alto saxophone. This was one of my favorites because it had a very nice melody. The song played after that was called Come Rain or Come Shine. The director of the ensemble talked about the lyrics to the song and how much he loved them. The next piece was called All Blues and was originally written by Miles Davis and arranged by Mendoza. This particular piece was written for the movie Love Actually. The next song performed was by far my favorite and was composed by Jonathon Torrence, who happens to be one of the trumpets players in the band. The piece was called The Cool and featured the rhythm section, two trumpet, and a tenor saxophone. The second to last piece was called Satin and Glass. This featured the flugal horn. The very last piece performed was called Grooving Hard. This was one of the few upbeat pieces played. It featured guitar, and two tenor saxophone solos. Jazz music is one of my favorite types of music and I really enjoyed this concert.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Lauren Oberle
BGSU 1000
On September 2nd at 8 pm, Nathaniel Zeisler played a bassoon recital in Bryan Recital Hall. Along with playing music, Zeisler played a slideshow. The slideshow gave details about important political issues in the world. The issue I remember the most is world hunger because it brought tears to my eyes. Zeisler’s playing made the slideshow’s points very powerful in this section. His recital reminded me of the power of music in all situations. I do not think the powerpoint would have been as effective if the piece that accompanied it was not played. As musicians, we have power over human emotions. For example, the music in a movie scene can set the tone. If a scene is supposed to be heart breaking, it would not make sense to play “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Zeisler reminded me that this power can be used to spread knowledge and create powerful emotions about important topics.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Caitlin Guenther
Jazz Lab 1
On November 10 I went to the Jazz Lab 1 concert. I really enjoy listening to jazz and this was the first time that I had heard the Jazz Lab band here. It was amazing! I didn’t realize how good it was. The saxophones seemed to be perfectly together and in tune with each other. There were also some very good solos by all the instruments. They played a lot of Duke Elington stuff. Jazz Lab seems very relaxed. There isn’t a conductor in front of the band constantly beating out the beats. He just starts them and then he moves off to the side. He also may adjust some of the microphones while he’s walking around. I thought that was pretty cool. It gives the performers a lot of freedom. I thought the concert was really good, and I can’t wait to go to their next performance.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Jonathan Torrence’s Recital
Jonathan Torrence’s recital took place on November 22, 2009 at 6 o’clock P.M. Jonathan Torrence is a trumpet player as am I, and he is studying for a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education, which I am studying for as well. I was very fortunate to be able to observe a performance of a fellow trumpet player. Jonathan Torrence is also in the same studio as I am; professor Lauraine Carpenter’s studio. This factor was very benificial because his recital allowed me to know what professor Lauraine expects of her students. Jonathan Torrence performed six pieces; two of which he composed by himself; a truly fortunate gift. The repertoire consisted of three movements of Concertino, Prelude et Ballade, No Difference, Caravan, Carry On, and Tuesday Wonderland. My favorite piece of the recital was No Difference composed by Jonathan Torrence. This piece was my favorite because when Jonathan performed it he came alive; it was as if he was speaking through his music. I believe that he performed that piece so well because it was his; it meant something to him, above and beyond the more classical style pieces he played.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
On Tuesday November 3rd, I attended the BGSU Jazz Guitar Ensemble concert. This ensemble currently consisted of five guitar player, one drummer and a bass player. It was fun to hear the different styles and sounds that only a few different instruments could make. Although it was all jazz music, there are different styles of jazz, they played a variety. “The Days of Wine & Roses” was more bluesey while “Electric Dance” was much more upbeat and modern. It was fun because I have played “Satin Doll” before in my jazz band at home. It was fun to hear it played on guitars instead of saxophones, trombones and trumpets. It made it a slightly different style, but the song was all there. I like hearing different styles of music, and I have certainly never attended a jazz guitar concert before. It was a good experience for me.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Dr. Megan Fergusson is the viola professor here at BGSU. She has degrees in viola performance from Rice University, New England Conservatory, and Michigan State University. She is the director of the summer string camp here at BGSU. She has also performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Toledo Symphony. On Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, at 8pm she gave a recital in Bryan Hall. On the program was Concertpiece for viola and piano by George Enescu, A String Around Autumn by Toru Takemitsu/Hosokawa, and Sonata for viola and piano by Rebecca Clarke. Overall Dr. Fergusson was able to express her emotions very clearly. She played with passion and energy. Her dynamics had a very wide range and the color of her tone was very warm and focused. The Enescu was a very fluid piece and Dr. Fergusson was able to make that very clear in her movements as well as her playing. She used very long bow strokes and a very wide vibrato. The Takemitsu is a new music piece that has influences of traditional Japanese music. There were many interesting ways that the viola was played, like the use of harmonics. There were also many extreme intervals and shifts which added to the excitement of the piece. The Rebecca Clarke sonata was another energetic piece. It was full of surprising twists and turns ranging from the viola starting out pizzicato to whole passages of fiery string crossings. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of the recital.
December 8th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
When I went to the Faculty Artists Series featuring Megan Fergusson, Viola and Solungga Fang- Tzu Liu, Piano they played some very good music. It was just what the doctor ordered. The sound of the Viola just makes me feel more in sync with the rest of the world. I feel like as if though there are no problems in the world I just got immersed into the music. It was a feeling that I haven’t had in a long time well until the Illinois brass quintet came over and performed. But yes this was definitely one of the best music experiences that I have had in a long time. This event helped me to relax for the rest of the week. But when this has happened it made me think about how this is what I want all students that I hope to teach will feel about any experience with any style or form of music.