San Jacinto College music professor Aaron Bielish, center, works with orchestra students during a rehearsal for a scholarship concert to be held on March 3. Photo credit: Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College marketing department.

March concerts to feature student compositions

Rob Vanya, February 26, 2013

PASADENA, Texas – A highlight of the San Jacinto College Central Campus March concerts will be Orpheus, which will feature music students who will perform original compositions.

Unless otherwise noted, the concerts, listed below, are free and open to the public, and will take place at the Dr. Monte Blue Music Building, 8060 Spencer Hwy., in Pasadena.

• Sunday, March 3, 4 p.m. – First Presbyterian Church, 4647 Preston in Pasadena, will host the Noel Wilkins Memorial Scholarship concert, featuring the combined choirs of the church and San Jacinto College Central. The choirs will perform Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem,” accompanied by the College’s orchestra. The concert will take place in the sanctuary of the church, and free-will donations to a scholarship fund will be accepted. The concert will be under the direction of Marilyn Wilkins, director of the First Presbyterian Church choir, and San Jacinto College music professor Dr. Paul Busselberg.

• Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m. – The College’s choirs will present the annual Spring Choral Concert, under the direction of Busselberg. The men’s chorus, the women’s chorus, and the combined chorale will perform a range of selections from the standard choral repertory, as well as folk songs, and spirituals.

• Tuesday, March 19, 7 p.m. – A Woodwind Ensemble Concert, under the direction of music professor Jeffrey Adams, will feature students performing compositions by Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Ravel, and Dvorak. A light jazz selection will conclude the concert. The ensemble includes 12 musicians playing different woodwind instruments such as flutes, clarinets, and saxophones. “The performance will be lively and entertaining and perhaps informative as well,” commented Adams.

• Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m. – A Jazz Ensemble Concert, under the direction of Adams, will feature all types of jazz styles, including modern swing, waltz, Latin, funk, and rock. Student musicians will be showcased with improvised solo performances. The ensemble is a full instrumental group consisting of saxes, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. “The concert promises to be lively and interactive with the audience,” commented Adams. “Hand clapping and foot patting will be permitted.”

• Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m. – The Orpheus Concert, under the direction of music professor Joseph Schenck, will feature San Jacinto College music students performing original compositions. Two compositions by Steven Cobo, “String Trio” and “Etude in G-Minor,” will feature student musicians Chris Ortiz, Cindy Vasquez, David Hernandez and Robert Killingsworth. Scott Butler’s “Duet for Piano and Cello” will be performed by David Hernandez on cello, and Killingsworth on piano. Jacob Bernstein’s “Piano Trio,” will feature Hernandez on cello, Killingsworth on piano, and Ortiz on violin. Vasquez’ “Skeleton Circus” will feature Maria Chavez and Mark Klinger on marimbas. Klinger will also perform his composition “Aleatoric,” as a “statement on society.”

San Jacinto College offers a wide range of music courses and degree options, as well as private music lessons at all three campuses. For more information about fine arts programs at San Jacinto College, please visit arts.sanjac.edu.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.