Showing posts with label Saxophone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saxophone. Show all posts

International Jazz Festival.



As well as having a number of top schools in the area, Rochester is home to a multitude of festivals. The biggest of which being the International Jazz Festival, in June. The event is held at various venues throughout the city and is a must-see for anyone in the Rochester area.

Highlights of this year's festival include:

325+ shows.
Three sold-out headliner shows.
Successful introduction of newest venue, Squeezers at the Inn on Broadway.
Scholarships awarded to two high school students, providing financial assistance so that they can attend the Eastman School of Music in the fall.
39 regional groups or individual artists (not including students) performed at the festival.
More than 75 free shows (including college and high school students) were presented for families and people of all ages to enjoy.
Four shows were recorded live by WXXI for future broadcast on PBS television stations across the U.S.
Jam sessions were packed nightly.
Making Rochester an international destination for music reinforcing its rich cultural arts heritage, resources and reputation.
Generous donations of 21 musical instruments at the festival to Rochester Education Foundation, including violins, a saxophone, clarinet, and more in addition to instruction books, and accessories - all to benefit City school students.
Rochester General Health System gave out 5000 pedometers free to attendees to measure their steps and promote walking for good health.
I Love NY showcased attractions to promote the region's other interesting tourist destinations to people visiting during the festival.

MCC Ensemble

MCC Ensemble

Next year's festival will return to Rochester for another nine days, June 19-27.

Personally, I had the joy of watching selected MCC students perform alongside jazz professor John Nyerges. To a full audience, the band performed well known jazz standards and student composed pieces, all of which widely appreciated. 

Music (jazzy). Friends (aplenty). Corn dogs (nowhere to be found).


MCC Instrumental Music Concert.

MCC Instrumental Music Concert.

May 2014.

Student-Led Brass Ensemble; MCC Jazz Combo
    A big part of my education has, and always will be, music. Monroe Community College has an excellent music program and encourages a wide variety of extracurricular clubs and groups. I am currently part of the Jazz Ensemble at MCC playing baritone saxophone. The latest music concert, held in the theatre at MCC, was on May 7th. The evening was full of instrumental ensembles, both classical and jazz, and featured a guitar solo from one of the program's finest. As well as the MCC students rocking out, we were joined by a host of special guests including Doug Stone and Clay Jenkins, who kindly played alongside the MCC Jazz Ensemble. Google these guys, well worth a listen.
    In typical musician fashion, the fun continued long after the concert ended with Buffalo Wild Wings being the venue of choice for many. 
    Music (Yeah). Friends (Yeah). Drinks (Well..)

Prof. Nyerges getting a wee bit too into 'Anthropologie'

Cheeky solos from MCC Jazz Combo

'The Nearness of You' feat. Caroline Fish

Kyle Lee - Classical Guitar; Brass Ensemble; MCC Students watching the pros; Pro Drummer Chris Teal
Don't worry if you missed out on this one! There are multiple concerts every semester and a vocal concert next Wednesday in Building 4, MCC at 19:30!