What is a classic? A Beethoven piano trio, a Kansas rock anthem, or a Duke Ellington toe-tapper? Decide for yourself at a pair of spring concerts at Trinity Western University. Music lovers of all ages will appreciate the wide variety of affordable entertainment on two consecutive Wednesdays: Chamber Music Night and Jazz Night, presented by TWU’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC).
On April 2, Chamber Music Night combines classical with cutting-edge. Beginning with Beethoven’s exquisite Piano Trio in E-flat, the program slides into the 20th Century with popular music by SAMC’s three-piece acoustic guitar ensemble, and lands in the 21st with the TWU New Music Project. The tenderness of Beethoven complements the mellow melodies of John Mayer and Jason Mraz, while the third ensemble brings the best of both worlds with contemporary classical music. The TWU New Music Project, an adventurous ensemble of strings, winds, and percussion, plays a fusion of groovy, colourful fare, including three new works by local student composers Rob Workman (Abbotsford) and Vincent Clements (Langley).
On April 9, Jazz Night hits all the right notes with vocal jazz and a pair of instrumental jazz combos. The vocalists scat their way through Ira Gershwin and Louis Prima, crossing over to Billy Joel and even Earth, Wind, and Fire. Next, acoustic and electric jazz combos heat up the room with swing music from Ellington and his contemporaries, Herbie Hancock’s funky fusion beats, and the modern stylings of artists like Pat Metheny and Freddie Hubbard.
The concerts feature a total of six ensembles coached by professional musicians from around the Lower Mainland: Heilwig von Koenigsloew (Ignus Piano Trio), Tim Olsen (Guitar Ensemble), Paolo Bortolussi (TWU New Music Project), Jon Thompson (Vocal Jazz), and Tony Gallo (Jr. and Sr. Jazz Combos).
Chamber Music Night and Jazz Night are presented as part of SAMC’s 5th annual Festival of the Arts, Media + Culture. Both concerts are held in the Instrumental Music Hall on campus at 7:30pm with admission by donation ($5 suggested). For more info, visit www.twu.ca/samc or phone 604.513.2173. For advertising and sponsorship opportunities, email Diana.Squires@twu.ca.