Murray State Brass Choir and Jazz Orchestra to perform concert Feb. 6

MURRAY, Ky. — The Brass Choir and Jazz Orchestra at Murray State University will perform a concert for the public Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Lovett Auditorium in preparation for their respective performances during the 2018 Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in Louisville. 

“We are so happy to be able to share this evening of music with our university and our community,” said Dr. Todd Hill, professor of music and director of the Murray State Jazz Orchestra. “We are always proud to represent Murray State, but we are particularly honored to be set apart as an example of excellence for all the music educators in Kentucky. Of the four university ensembles across the state selected to perform, two being from Murray State makes a strong statement about the achievements of our students.” 

The Murray State Brass Choir is making their irst appearance at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference under the direction of Dr. Todd French, assistant professor of music. An active part of the curriculum for the department of music since the 1960s, the Murray State Brass Choir is made up of 15 trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba majors. Selections for this program include “Magniicat” by Johann Pachelbel, “Girl with the Flaxen Hair” by Claude Debussy, “Concerto Antiphonale” by Václav Nelhýbel, “Fanfare Canzonique” by Brian Balmages and “Tribute” by Kevin McKee. 

Also performing is the Murray State Jazz Orchestra in their fourth appearance at the conference under Hill’s direction. In addition to performing for the Kentucky Music Educators Association, in the past decade the group has recorded and released four albums, performed at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and made three appearances at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. Selections from their upcoming performance include “Full Count” by Mark Taylor, “Harlem Air Shaft” by Duke Ellington, “Rippin’ ‘n Runnin’” by Gordon Goodwin, “Travelin’ Light” by Trummy Young and Johnny Mercer, “Del Corazón” by Mike Tomaro and “I Can’t Stop Loving You” as arranged by Quincy Jones for Count Basie’s orchestra. Hill is assisted by Jonathan Nash, a Master of Music candidate at the University.