All of the arts will be working together to present a one-of-a-kind jazz concert built of both sound and sight at Hope College on Monday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the John and Dede Howard Recital Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts.
Framed by the music of the college’s Jazz Arts Collective, “Toward Convergence: An Arts Collaboration” will also feature visual art, dance, a poetry presentation, and original lighting and technical design through the Department of Theatre.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The Jazz Arts Collective will perform pieces including “Roy Allan,” by Roy Hargrove; “The Moment,” “Pacing” and “Autumn Song,” by faculty member Jordan VanHemert; “Cool Blues,” by Charlie Parker; and “Spirit is Willing,” by Sammy Nestico.
Please visit Stories of Hope to learn more about the concert and how it originated.
Jasmine Domfort, assistant professor of dance, be will be dancing in conjunction with the music, as well as interacting with the lighting, which has been designed by Eric Van Tassell, assistant professor of lighting and sound design, and Erik Alberg, who is director of design and production for the performing arts. Greg Lookerse, assistant professor of art, has developed a temporarily installed work that will be highlighted as part of the concert, which will also include a reading of poetry by area resident Herbert Tews, who is a member of the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals.
The Jazz Arts Collective is directed by VanHemert, who is an assistant professor of music. Students in the ensemble include: Houston Patton, saxophone; Liam Diephuis, saxophone; Charlie Jordan, saxophone; Michael Pineda, saxophone; Patrick McGeehan, saxophone; Daniel Wade, trumpet; Leah Reinardy, piano; Clif Metcalf, bass; and Carlos Flores, drums.
The Jazz Arts Collective is the premier large jazz ensemble at Hope College. The Collective places a creative focus on ensemble communication and improvisation. Comprised of a rhythm section and flexible wind/string instrumentation, this select group performs compositions and arrangements from across the full spectrum of music. The collective’s repertoire ranges from the great historical jazz composers such as Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, to works by modern jazz masters like Vince Mendoza, Jim McNeely and John Hollenbeck. The Jazz Arts Collective frequently performs commissions, works by emerging young composers and originals by Hope College faculty and students.
Audience members who need assistance to fully enjoy any event at Hope are encouraged to contact the college's Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.