Variety in Music: SMSU Jazz Band Performs in Brookings

The Southwest Minnesota Jazz Ensemble brought their talents to the Brookings High School from Brookings, South Dakota in a performance alongside the BHS Marching Band. With a salute to the armed forces, a number of jazzy pieces and a finale in the dark, it was a night full of variety for the music lover.
The BHS Marching Band started off the night with a cadence entrance, and Independence Hymn, the U.S. National Anthem, followed by a salute to the Armed Forces.
The program followed with some fun and lively entertainment that featured each section of the BHS band, from the percussion to the woodwinds to the brass. The first section featured included the drums, with each separate section following with their own theme and performance.
The band continued on with the classic Soul Man, a 1967 hit song by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. What followed was a more modern hit called Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO.
The SMSU Jazz Ensemble were the special guests of the night, performing five songs. The songs included were Blue Rondo a la Turk, Red Clay, Green Onions, On Green Dolphin Street and Beneath An Orange Moon.
The BHS band finished the night with a Hunger Games theme with a “light show” included. Glow sticks, lava lamps and black lights were the only sources of light while the band played on with ominous and exciting tones from the popular series.
The Jazz Band Ensemble played under the direction of Dr. John Ginocchio. Band members include Amy Nelson and Candle DiSanto on alto saxophone; Kim Lynner and Justin Condelli on tenor saxophone; Austin Schmidt on baritone saxophone; Vicky Bruns, Kim Watkins, Terry Louwagie and Rachel Frerich on trumpet; Maxx Louwagie and David Peterson on trombone; Noah Anderson and Joe Pfannschmidt on guitar; Alex Munsterman on string bass; Katie Carter on drums and Tyler Schoep on piano.
The SMSU Jazz Ensemble will perform next in the Fine Arts Theatre on Monday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The theme is “Across the Jazz Spectrum.”
For more information on upcoming concerts, check out SMSU Today.