Written by Whitney Vitt. DM by Stephanie Rodriguez. [divide]
Source: GC Bands Facebook Page
The sixth annual Jazz Band’s Christmas Concert was held Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. in the recital hall of Whitlock Music Center. Playing since his freshmen year, Donnie Cruse said, “It was a full recital hall!” Christmas spirit filled the hall for around an hour as the band members performed a variety of songs. Many Christmas classics and favorites were performed including Happy Holidays, Baby it’s Cold Outside, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Hot Chocolate, Two Front Teeth, You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch. The band also performed a medley of Santa tunes which included 12 different songs within the track, a hard rock version of We Three Kings, White Christmas, along with many more. All of the vocals were sung as a duet. Junior Emilie Britt shared, “It was a very energetic and entertaining atmosphere. All of the members of the jazz band seemed to be having such wonderful time while they were on stage. They were great musicians! I really enjoyed the selection of songs, a nice variety of popular Christmas songs. I will definitely go back next year.”
Source: GC Bands Facebook Page
Will Fairbanks is the GC Concert conductor. Fairbanks stated, “This was an upbeat, high-energy, toe-tapping concert. The jazz band is made up of a rhythm section including guitar, bass guitar, drum set, and piano. Then we added four saxophones, three trumpets, four trombones and a couple of vocalists.”
Ashley Hurley, Jazz Band member shared, “I became involved in jazz band my freshmen year here at Greenville College. I was a rough rock at first, but with practice and advice from band members and Mr. Fairbanks, I became a smooth pebble in terms of jazz talent! This concert was different for me in many ways. It was my first Christmas concert playing the bass trombone. I am friends with everyone in the band this semester, which makes it even better playing music with them. I enjoyed looking at my band mates and the audience and seeing them get into and just letting the music move them. That was so wonderful!”
Source: GC Bands Facebook Page
The jazz band members worked hard for their show and are extremely pleased with how well it went. Make sure to visit the Greenville College Bands Facebook page and listen to the live stream recording of the Jazz Band Christmas Show. If you missed this performance by the jazz band you are in luck! On Sunday, Dec. 13, the Concert Band will host their sixth annual Christmas by the Fireside performance at 7:00 p.m., also in the Whitlock Music Center.
Don’t forget that next year the Jazz Band will be performing another wonderful Christmas performance, so make sure you stop by Whitlock before finals. However, if you cannot wait a whole year, the Greenville College Bands – Pep Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and the Fusion Ensemble – will have several performances next semester so be on the lookout!
