The Berea College Wind and Jazz Ensembles will strike up the annual Mountain Day festivities at 7:00 pm Tuesday in the Woods-Penn Commons.

Jazz band at local school last spring

The Wind Ensemble's "Songs from the Movies" theme highlights memorable scores from movies "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Titanic" while the Jazz Band returns with "Swing Blowout" that includes electrifying renditions the classics "Minnie the Moocher" and "Sing Sing Sing" . More recent pop hits include a version of Santana's smash hit "Smooth", and Norah Jones' intoxicating "Don’t Know Why".

In his fourth year at the helm, Director Charles Turner, has seen the band more than double, adding an impressive new roster of musicians for both ensembles. "They have made miraculous progress," quoted Turner. [They are] "playing much more difficult music, playing a larger number of songs [and] different styles." In the wind ensemble, the percussion section has grown in size and quality and has also added many new brass and horn players.

The Jazz Band has also improved its roster. There are several strong new players including two new alto saxophonists, a trumpeter and new rhythm players. With four additional trombone players "the section has made miraculous progress” Turner emphasized. This will accompany some of the more familiar veterans who are now featured solo performers. Among those are drummer Shane Gartner, trumpeter Eric Lucas, Kentucky state award winning clarinet and saxophone player Jen Kilkus, and guitarist Casey Poe each having over three years of college performing experience.

Riding high on a series of impressive performances last year at SGA's "Jazzie Nights" and a well-received spring convocation, the band is now preparing for an unusually busy year. The upcoming schedule, although still, incomplete mirrors a professional ensemble schedule.

October 16 at 3:30 pm
Seabury Small Gym
Fall Preview Day Concert

October 19 at 8:00 pm
Woods-Penn Commons
Mountain Day Concert

November 19
Homecoming Food Service Concert and Friday Night Pep Rally

November 20
Homecoming parade and Homecoming Game Pep Band performance

November
Christmas Concert and Caroling

Spring Break:
Tour to New York City