The Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble and Camerata performed in the Majestic Theater at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. (Photo Kenzie Smith/The Gettysburgian)
By Kenzie Smith, Arts & Entertainment Editor
The Gettysburg College and local community got to enjoy a night of jazz with the Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble and Camerata in the Majestic Theater at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. The Jazz Ensemble was directed by Coordinator of Jazz and Lecturer of Saxophone at the Sunderman Conservatory Dr. Amanda Heim and Camerata was directed by Associate Professor of Voice at the Sunderman Conservatory Susan Hochmiller. Pieces by various composers and with varying tempos and moods were performed, displaying the talent and hardwork of the two groups.
The Jazz Ensemble began the concert with Joe Garland’s “In the Mood,” featuring soloists Justin Morgan ’27 and Alex Henderson ’27 on tenor saxophone and Sal Formisano ’26 on trumpet. Another upbeat tune, Duke Ellington’s “Just Scratchin’ the Surface” followed, featuring soloists Jess Schaefer ’24 on piano and Henderson on tenor saxophone.
Next, the Jazz Ensemble performed a slower and softer tune, Henry Mancini’s “Dreamsville.” This song featured soloists Sheafer on piano, Hugo Pochan ’26 on guitar and David Grant ’24 on alto saxophone. The final two pieces of this section of the concert were George and Ira Gershwin’s “‘S Wonderful,” featuring vocalist Connor Slemp ’27 and soloists Morgan on tenor saxophone and Ben Casinelli ’26 on trumpet, and Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing,” featuring soloist Grant on alto saxophone.
Camerata took the stage to perform their portion of the concert. They began with Eric Maschwitz and Manning Sherwin’s soft, melodic tune “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.” Next they performed Irving Caesar and Vincent Youmans’ “Tea for Two,” a more upbeat and playful song. Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Skylar” was the final tune performed by Camerata.
Jazz Ensemble took the stage again for the remaining part of the concert in which they played a range of jazz songs, staring with Duke Ellington’s “Cotton Tail,” which featured soloists Sal Formisano ’26 on trumpet, Justin Morgan ’27 on tenor saxophone, Schaefer on piano and Jacqueline Morin ’24 on baritone saxophone. Next, they performed Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” featuring vocalists Syd Topoleski ’27 and soloists Scahefer on piano and Jacon Hunkins ’24 on trumpet, and Neal Hefti’s “Splanky,” featuring soloists Schaefer on piano, Ben Casinelli ’26 on trumpet, David Grant ’24 on alto saxophone and Hunkins on trumpet.
Next, the Jazz Ensemble performed Vernon Duke and E.Y. Harburg’s “April in Paris,” which featured soloists Michael Tropp ’25 on trombone and Formisano on trumpet. The final Duke Ellington song of the night, “Caravan,” followed, which was written in conjunction with Juan Tizol and Irving Mills. This piece featured soloists Hunkins on trumpet, Tropp on trombone, James Humphrey ’26 on clarinet and Grant on alto saxophone.
Director Amanda Heim took a brief pause in the concert to highlight and commemorate the seniors of the ensemble, which included Grant, Morin, Hunkins, Dylan Hewett ’24 and Schaefer. The Jazz Ensemble then performed their final piece: Sammy Nestico’s “Flight to Nassau,” featuring soloists Schaefer on piano, Morgan on tenor saxophone, Formisano on trumpet and Michael Motta ’25 on drums. The group received a standing ovation.
Hewett reflected on the concert: “I thought the performance went really well! We all put a lot into this concert, and I think it showed that night. . . . This was my last concert with the jazz big band here at Gettysburg, and I’m feeling pretty bittersweet about it.”
Hewett’s favorite song from the concert to perform was “Flight to Nassau.”
“The fast tempo is fun and gets me walking all over the bass,” he said.
