The new Director of Bands Frank Perez is preparing one of his bands for its first performance. The Symphonic Winds will perform with the Baker Jazz Ensemble in the first concert of the semester.

JD Parr will be directing the Jazz Ensemble, which will be playing for half of the concert.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Baker Bands Concert – 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5, Rice Auditorium

Baker Pep Band – 7 p.m. Oct. 11, Arrowhead Stadium

Baker Marching Festival – Oct. 15, Liston Stadium

Baker Pep Band – 11 a.m. Oct. 18, Maple Leaf Parade

“We will perform (during) one half of the concert and play a variety of big-band jazz tunes in swing, Latin, and funk styles,” Parr said.

Perez thinks this concert is the “celebration of all the hard work” they have been doing since the beginning of the fall term. He has been anxiously awaiting a chance to perform since the year began.

The Baker Bands Concert will last about an hour, starting at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 in Rice Auditorium.

Perez said the the band is impressive, especially when he asks them to try something different.

“It speaks highly of their commitment,” Perez said. “It’s a good sign of respect. I feel like I’m working with a professional music group.”

Perez and the band have many other events coming up this fall.

The Baker Pep Band will be performing at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11, accompanied by more than 60 high school students and will also join with Benedictine’s band to play the national anthem.

The Baker Marching Festival will take place in Liston Stadium on Oct. 15. Perez describes it as “a big undertaking,” referring to the more than 600 students who will be spending the day at Baker.

The Baker Pep Band will also be marching in the Maple Leaf Parade on Oct. 18.

Future events will be posted in the Baker calendar on the Baker Orange website.