Jazzy Halloween

By Lori Devine
The Collegian

Trumpet players in tutus? A saxophone-playing shark, accompanied by a piano-playing pirate?

It's no “trick” of the eyes; it's the Jazz Band’s annual Halloween Concert, where members of the band, the directors and even the audience come together in costume for a real “treat”— listening to great jazz music played by Fresno State’s talented students.

Both Jazz Band “A” and “B” will be entertaining audiences with a variety of great music, including songs from top jazz composers, like Jim McNee, Bill Holman and Neil Slater.

The concert, which played to a full-house last year, is the brainchild of assistant professor and director, Michael Caldwell.

Caldwell created the concert not only to showcase student talent, but in hopes o

f attracting a larger audience to jazz music.

Caldwell thinks that the Halloween performance “plants the seeds of great music” in the younger generation’s ear, because the concert not only offers the chance for the audience to be exposed to a different kind of music, but to have fun because of the costumes and party atmosphere.

Caldwell said, “This is a great opportunity to see some of the most talented students on campus, an opportunity to hear people improvise and play spontaneous solos of material that no one has ever heard until that moment.”

Craig VonBerg, the director of Jazz Band “B,” echoes Caldwell’s enthusiasm, “We’ve got a really fantastic band. Each [section] has its own distinct sound.”

Scott Dean, a senior trumpet player, said students should to come, “to listen to something out of the ordinary.”

When asked what he will wear, Dean admits he is not sure about his costume yet. He is mulling over the idea of dressing as a pirate or possibly showing up in a bed sheet-toga.

“Last year I was a break-dancer,” Dean said.

Senior Josh McDonald said he had already designed his Oscar the Grouch costume to allow for his trumpet.

Other band members are not sure what they will wear, but freshman Paul Herrera has heard about past Halloween Concerts and knows he needs to “get something wacky. Everyone else is doing something crazy.”

The ensemble will perform Sunday, Oct. 29, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Music Building Concert Hall.

Tickets are $6 for general admission, $5 for students, faculty and seniors.

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