The Shippensburg University Jazz Ensemble brought everything it had for its final show of the semester on April 17 at The Thought Lot.
The 20-person ensemble returns every year during the spring and plays multiple shows over the course of the semester. Comprised of highly dedicated music majors, the band requires members to audition every year for a spot.
The group performed more than an hour of music for the packed Thought Lot crowd. There was not an empty seat in the house as friends and family were joined by a large student turnout. The show was divided in half with a brief 10-minute intermission in the middle for band members to mingle with the crowd.
Director Trever Famulare provided some banter and provided the audience with transitions between songs. Famulare also invited junior Mackenzie Brouse on stage a few times throughout the night to provide vocals for a handful of the band’s songs.
Over the course of the show, each section of the ensemble had multiple opportunities to play some solo performances. Multiple saxophone, trombone and trumpet players took their turn displaying their talents for the audience through these solos. In addition to the brass players, drummers and other percussionists put together some freestyle solos as well.
As the show started to come to a close, Famulare took the time to thank everyone who helped make the performance possible. The director mentioned The Thought Lot and its hospitality, and the large crowd was also thanked graciously for coming out to support the band in its final show of the year.
Video recorded and edited by Nolan McGraw
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