WSCC ensembles present holiday concerts

VICTORY TWP. — West Shore Community College’s musical ensembles will be featured in four holiday performances throughout the area starting Dec. 5.

According to Associate Professor Ted Malt, who leads the college’s music department, members of the musical ensembles travel from throughout Western Michigan to rehearse every week during a semester.

“Members of these groups represent nearly 200 students and community members who take part in the music ensembles and courses at West Shore,” says Malt.

The Jazz Ensemble opens the concert series on Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m., at Jamesport Brewing Company in Ludington. The ensemble will perform Big Band and small jazz combo music. This is a free concert, but those wishing to reserve a table for dinner are encouraged to call the brewpub to make a reservation.

On Thurs., Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m., the swinging sounds of the Jazz Band, led by Malt, will fill the Center Stage Theater with an energy packed show featuring compositions by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Nestico, Frank Mantooth and many others.

Joining the Jazz Band will be the Percussion Ensemble, a program that brings the percussive arts to music students. Made up of both college and area high school students, the collaborative performance will feature an illuminated world premiere performance called “Synesthesia” with special guest Kevin DePree, of Sound is Red Productions, who specializes in drums and percussion.

The 65-voice Concert Choir will perform on Sun., Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. The choir, under the direction of Becky Sopha and Assistant Director Lew Wilson, will feature music from Mozart to Pergolesi and Hayden and Britten, plus contemporary compositions. The choir is accompanied on piano by Donna Clousing and Seth Kris.

More holiday music takes center stage when WSCC’s popular show choir, The Collegiates, perform with the Concert Choir.

Scott Emelander, who directs the group, says the ensemble has evolved into an “a capella” vocal jazz group and the upcoming concert is full of high energy holiday repertoire. Jaime Pepple will be featured on piano.

The Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, under the direction of Malt, will perform a variety of musical selections from classical and holiday repertoire on Wed., Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at Shelby High School.

The concert venue for this performance has moved from WSCC’s Center Stage Theater to Shelby High School to accommodate a larger audience.

The concert will feature popular wind band music by Shostakovich, Alfred Reed, and Charles Carter.

The Wind Symphony will also be performing Robert W. Smith’s “The Divine Comedy.”  “This exciting four movement musical journey will be a performance to remember for the audience and participating musicians alike,” Malt adds.

Tickets for the concerts may be purchased online or by calling the Center Stage Theater Box Office at (231) 843-5507.