“Please join us for an exciting evening of music. Admission is free – all are invited.” — Director of Bands Frank Perez

UPCOMING CONCERTS

Nov. 18 | “Journeys in Song” Symphonic Winds Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Rice Auditorium

This is the second concert for Perez, the new BU director of bands. The Baker University Percussion Ensemble will perform at this concert with Perez conducting. “Journeys in Song” will feature music by Dmitri Shostakovich, Kevin Walczyk, Alfred Reed, Steve Grimo and Morten Lauridsen.

“I’m proud of our band students,” Perez said. “They have worked very hard preparing this concert. I hope the community is able to come out and enjoy an evening of fun and diverse music.”

Nov. 19 | Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Rice Auditorium

The concert will feature two works, one by Beethoven and another by Mozart. During the first work, the Baker University Orchestra will be joined by members of the chamber orchestra from Johnson County Community College. The second piece contains some difficult horn parts and cycles between fast and slow movements.

“The orchestra is excited to play the concert and anxious to prepare for Vespers with six rehearsals left,” Director of Orchestral Activities Mark Pretzel said.

Nov. 20 & 21 | BU Jazz Festival

The 17th Annual Baker University Jazz Festival will begin Thursday, Nov. 20 with the Baker University Jazz Ensemble Concert in Rice Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. and continue on Nov. 21 with a full day of competitive performances by 21 area high school jazz bands.

The concert will feature a guest artist, trumpeter Mike Bogart. Bogart was the lead trumpet and trombone player for nine years with the legendary jazz/rock fusion band Tower of Power. Bogart has also appeared with famous groups like Aerosmith and Earth, Wind and Fire.

“I believe that having Mike Bogart perform in our concert may be the most exciting guest artist we have ever featured in conjunction with our jazz festival,” JD Parr, director of the jazz ensemble, said. “It should be a spectacular concert with his amazing abilities on trumpet.”

During the same weekend, six music and theater students will be performing one-act plays at 7:30 p.m. both nights in Darby Hope Theater in Parmenter Hall.

Nov. 24 | Baker Percussion Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m. in McKibbin Recital Hall

The Baker University Percussion Ensemble’s fall concert will feature music specially written for percussion ensembles, and the group will perform music intended for other instruments. The concert will include Perez guest-conducting one of the pieces. The ensemble recently toured Northeast Kansas, visiting high schools and middle schools in hope of recruiting of new music students.

Dec. 7 | 84th Annual Christmas Candlelight Vespers, 2 and 5 p.m. in Rice Auditorium

Vespers is a long-standing Baker tradition that takes place just before finals. The hour-long program features Christmas music by many of Baker’s musical groups, including the choirs, orchestra and jazz ensemble. The concert, which is free admission, will also feature President Lynne Murray reciting a Christmas poem.

“Christmas Vespers has it all,” Cathy Crispinio, interim director of choral ensembles, said. “From the reverent alleluia opening, to the joy of choir with brass, the elegance of strings, and the toe-tapping fun of the jazz ensemble, there is something for everyone in a short, sweet package.”