Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Headlines Maplerock

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 41st Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 20. Along with free performances by nine area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which will headline The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

The Jazz Festival's evening concert will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock fresh off of their tour to Spain. Dr. Garlock will then switch roles and take the stage as lead trombonist in The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (CJO).

For 35 years, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has been Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice. Led by Paul Ferguson as the artistic director, the CJO promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, through concerts with gifted jazz musicians, arrangers, composers and educators in northeast Ohio. The CJO aims for worldwide recognition in cooperation with guest artists, and looks to shepherd young musicians toward the future of jazz. Their 2019-2020 season exemplifies this mission and vision through a variety of new music, new compositions and arrangements, and a stellar line-up of well-known guest artists and young up-and-coming talent.

Paul has played with the CJO since 1988 and was named the artistic director in CJO's 31st season. Before joining CJO, Paul traveled with and arranged for the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras. Recognized as one of the leading jazz composer/arrangers of his generation, he was recipient of the Gil Evans fellowship in Jazz Composition in 1995 and was the sole American finalist at the ART-EZ Jazz composition contest in Enschede, Holland in 2012. His works have been recorded by various radio orchestras in Europe and his arrangements for Pops orchestra are performed internationally. His most recent recordings are “Encounter”, “Rays of Light” and “Big Band Christmas.” A graduate of the Eastman school and the University of Akron, Paul is Senior Instructor in music at Case Western Reserve University.

Along with Ferguson and Garlock, the CJO roster includes saxophonists Howie Smith, Brad Wagner, Christopher Burge, John Klayman, Johnny Cochran and George Shernit; Jack Schantz, Theresa May, Dave Banks and Joseph Miller on trumpet; along with Chris Anderson, Paul Hungerford and Chas Baker on trombone. The rhythm section consists of pianist Jackie Warren, bassist Aidan Plank, and Jim Rupp on drums. Evelyn Wright will perform vocals for the CJO concert.

In addition to the evening concert, CJO members will conduct a public clinic with nine high school bands that will perform earlier in the day in Hugo Young Theatre. After each high school band performs their 30-minute concert, the guest artists will meet with the band and offer their expertise to strengthen the ensemble and individual musician's performance. The Jazz Festival's afternoon performances are scheduled as follows:

11:30 a.m. MidOhio Jazz Lab
12:00 p.m. Crestview High School Jazz Band
12:30 p.m. Lake High School Jazz Band
1:00 p.m.   Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Jazz Band
1:30 p.m.   Ashland High School Jazz Band B
2:00 p.m.   MidOhio Jazz Combo
2:30 p.m.   Rittman High School Jazz Band
3:00 p.m.   Galion High School Jazz Band
3:30 p.m.   Ashland High School Jazz Band A

The afternoon performances are free and open to the public while tickets for the evening concert are available through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online (additional fees apply) at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students and Ashland University faculty and staff; and free for Ashland University students.

AU Jazz Returns to Spain

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock returned to Spain for another concert tour. Here is a photo of them waiting for their departure from Ashland University yesterday. They arrived safely across the pond. All the best to them in their concerts and adventures.

Pre-Spain Jazz Concert

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will preview their Spain tour repertoire at a special Jazz at the Nest concert on Monday, Mar. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Ashland to Host OPCICA Honors Festival

Ashland University Department of Music is honored to host the 2020 Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) Honors Festival culminating with a free, public concert on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. The 2020 OPCICA Festival is organized by the association's president, John Packard (Mount Vernon Nazarene University), along with the local hosts from Ashland University, Joseph Lewis and Dr. Scott Garlock.

OPCICA represents the instrumental music programs in Ohio's private colleges and universities, whose primary purpose is sponsoring an annual honors festival. This year's festival will involve 111 student musicians and 25 band directors representing 17 schools including Ashland University, Bluffton University, Case Western Reserve University, College of Wooster, Defiance College, Heidelberg University, Kenyon College, Malone University, Marietta College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Muskingum University, Notre Dame College, Ohio Northern University, Otterbein University, University of Findlay, Wittenberg University and Walsh University.

Participating students have been nominated by their university band directors for their exceptional musicianship. All participating students and directors will arrive on the Ashland University campus on Saturday to rehearse with the OPCICA Honors Concert Band or Honors Jazz Band. The bands will then perform at Sunday afternoon's concert.

The OPCICA Honors Concert Band will perform the following pieces led by the corresponding conductors: Joyce’s 71st N.Y. Reg’t March (Joseph Lewis, Ashland University), Early Light (Roy Couch, Bluffton University), Cloudburst (Tom Roblee, Walsh University), Divertimento (Michael Kruger, Notre Dame College), and Danza Final from Estancia (Chris Schletter, Marietta College).

The OPCICA Honors Jazz Band's program will include performances of The Star-Spangled Banner, Thinking, Doin' the Things, Tones for Joan's Bones, Armando's Rhumba and Minor Bop II conducted by Jason Wyse, Malone University; Jordan Reed, Marietta College; and Jack Taylor, University of Findlay.

Ashland University students selected for the honors bands include Emma Graves on flute; Jacob Moses, Matt Roth, Hannah Smigel and Sydney Muller on clarinet; french horn players Jacob Bodnar and Bethany Leggett; and Eric Watts, bass trombone.

In addition to the OPCICA honors bands, the Ashland University Symphonic Band will perform as the host ensemble. Their selections include Sousa's Semper Fidelis, the World Premiere of Dr. Stefan Swanson's Women of World War II, Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium, as well as The Golden Age of the Xylophone featuring guest soloist Elizabeth Procopio.

Holiday Jazz Concert, Dec. 5

The Ashland University Department of Music will present an Ashland University Jazz Concert on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 pm in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert will offer pre-concert music from the Lost and Profound jazz combo with Jared Metz on alto saxophone; Ariane Hill, flute, Alex Trotter, vibes; Torin Dunn, guitar; Alex Kwan, piano; Jackson Schultz, bass and Molly Winnard, drums.

The 4th annual AUJO Alumni Big Band will rehearse prior to the concert beginning at 6 p.m. for anyone who is interested in playing in the concert. They will perform selections beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra's (AUJO) program of jazz standards and holiday favorites including Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Tannenbaum and Let It Snow.

The 2019-2020 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Jacob Moses, Logan O'Lasky, Hannah Smigel, Ariane Hill and Erika Wright; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Nathan Roblin and Jacob Bodnar on trumpet; trombonists Luke Blackley, Colette Mooney, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on mellophone; while the rhythm section consists of Moriah Goldsmith on piano, Susie Alley on bass, guitarist Torin Dunn, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Alli Lange.

AUJO will have their holiday CD recording "AUJOy to the World" featuring vocals by Cathi Muckle available for purchase at the concert at $10 each.

Clarinets, Flutes, Brass & Strings Perform, 12/4

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a clarinet trio and the Flute Loops Jazz Combo under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, a brass ensemble directed by Joseph Lewis Jr. and a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed. The concert is free and open to the public.

Jazz at the Nest, 10/15

Led by Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music, the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will present a free public concert Tuesday, Oct.15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Eagles Nest at the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, 1010 King Road.

Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music in the venue’s relaxed, club-like atmosphere.

The concert will offer an eclectic mix of old and new arrangements including Kahn and Jones' It Had to Be You, an arrangement of Danny Boy by Paul Ferguson, Nat King Cole's Straighten Up and Fly Right, Semi-Mental Journey by Brown and Homer, and Benny Carter's Vine Street Rumble.

The 2019-20 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Jacob Moses, Logan O'Lasky, Hannah Smigel, Ariane Hill and Erika Wright; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Nathan Roblin and Jacob Bodnar on trumpet; trombonists Luke Blackley, Colette Mooney, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on mellophone; while the rhythm section consists of Moriah Goldsmith on piano, Susie Alley on bass, guitarist Torin Dunn, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Alli Lange.

Brass, Jazz, String & Woodwind Ensembles Recital, Apr. 23

On Tuesday, Apr. 23 at 8 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a jazz combo, woodwind, brass and string ensembles under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Jane Reed, respectively. The concert is free and open to the public.

Jazz at the Nest Returns Apr. 16

On Tuesday, Apr. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Eagles Nest located in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) will perform in a club-like atmosphere where audience members can grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music. 

The Monday Madness Jazz Combo will provide pre-concert music beginning at 7 p.m. with Michaela Wood (flute), Jared Metz (saxophone), Alex Kwan (piano), Torin Dunn (guitar), and Molly Willard (drums).

AUJO's portion of the program will offer an eclectic mix of old and new arrangements including Belly Roll by Quincy Jones, Wind Machine by Sammy Nestico, The Chicken by Pee Wee Ellis, Backyard Blues by Matt Harris, Big Dipper by Thad Jones and many more.

The AUJO roster includes saxophonists Michael Spalding, Jacob Moses, Lauren DeBracy, Erika Wright and Ariane Hill; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Jennifer Wigton and Nathan Roblin on trumpet; trombonists Satch Garlock, Frank Stanek, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on horn; while the rhythm section consists of Alex Trotter on piano, Emily Ebert on bass, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Gracie Fumic

40th Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival Slates 5 Guest Artists

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 40th Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 22. Along with free performances by ten area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which features five professional jazz artists.

The Jazz Festival's evening concert will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock. The concert program will headline guest jazz artists: Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Mike Tomaro (sax), Pat Harbison (trumpet), Sean Parsons (piano) and John Viser (drums).

Renowned musician, composer, conductor, and arranger, Wycliffe Gordon's impressive career has garnered him numerous accolades as a veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, an original member of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center” Series, and the arranger of NPR’s “All Things Considered” theme song heard daily across the globe. Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” for the 10th time in 2017, and Downbeat Critics Poll named Wycliffe “Best Trombone” for four years. Most recently Wycliffe received the “Louie Award” honoring his dedication and commitment to the music of Louis Armstrong.

Saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator, Mike Tomaro is the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at Duquesne University. Prior to his appointment at Duquesne, he was a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble where he served as its Enlisted Musical Director and performed for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton as well as heads of state from around the world. As a performer, Mike has worked with such diverse artists and groups as Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Michael Feinstein, Linda Ronstadt, Debby Boone, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Bergeron, Dizzy Gillespie Tribute Big Band, Woody Herman Orchestra and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, where he is featured on their latest DVD, “Live at MCG.” He is also a member and Co-Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.

Pat Harbison's many recordings as a jazz trumpeter include a 1999 solo debut, After All. In addition to appearances as leader, his recording credits include the PsychoAcoustic Orchestra, the Blue Wisp Big Band, and David Baker's 21st Century Bebop Band. He is a Professor of Jazz Studies at Indiana University and previously taught Trumpet and Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Sean Parsons is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator currently serving as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Ohio University. In demand as a performer and clinician nationwide, Sean has shared the stage with many of the most notable musicians in jazz including Clark Terry, James Moody, Jon Faddis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Steve Turre, and Randy Brecker. Additionally, he has regularly performed with and arranged for Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

John Viser describes himself as a 'Soul drummer trapped in a jazz drummer's body." Growing up in Memphis, his first gigs were sitting in with house bands on Beale Street. He studied jazz at Knox College where he had the opportunity to back up jazz luminaries, form the award winning "Good Ma Trio" and tour parts of North America and Spain. Viser is now a regular fixture on the St. Louis music scene working with Jake Gehret and the Brokedown Sound, the Southside trio, and the Jazz Cannibals.

These five guest artists will conduct a public clinic with ten high school bands that will perform earlier in the day in Hugo Young Theatre. After each high school band performs their 30-minute concert, the guest artists will meet with the band and offer their expertise to strengthen the ensemble and individual musician's performance. The Jazz Festival's afternoon performances are scheduled as follows:

11:30 a.m. Foundation Academy of Mansfield Jazz Band
12:00 p.m. Rittman High School Jazz Band
12:30 p.m. Crestview High School Jazz Band
1:00 p.m. Crestwood High School Jazz Band
1:30 p.m. Bloom Carroll High School Jazz Band
2:00 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band B
2:30 p.m. Brunswick High School Jazz Band
3:00 p.m. Stow-Munroe Falls High School Jazz Band
3:30 p.m. Galion High School Jazz Band
4:00 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band A

The afternoon performances are free and open to the public while tickets for the evening concert are available through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online (additional fees apply) at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students and Ashland University faculty and staff; and free for Ashland University students.

Faculty Recital Showcases Trombonists from Cleveland Pops and Jazz Orchestras

The Ashland University Department of Music presents a faculty recital featuring Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music on trombone along with guest ensemble Le Bon Bones on Monday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

The evening's concert will present a program of trombone music culled from the 16th century to our current millenium. Selections will include Mozart's Requiem "Tuba Mirum," G. F. Handel's Dance Suite, Felix Mendelssohn's Nocturne, Pavane for a Dead Princess by Maurice Ravel, Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini, Bear Dance by Bela Bartok, Chorale from Jupiter by Gustav Holst, Prelude, Op. 34 by Dmitri Shostakovich, Afred Reed's Fanfare, Cappricio for 8 trombones by Eric Ewazen, Domine, Salva Nos by William Byrd, as well as, Body and Soul by Johnny Green and Bill Reichenbach's Back to the Fair.

The members of Le Bon Bones including Dr. Garlock are members of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, The Akron Symphony Orchestra, The Suburban Symphony and The Ashland Symphony Orchestra.

Spring 2019 Music Events

A full listing of Ashland University Department of Music events for the Spring 2019 semester is now available online at Ashland.edu/Music. From rehearsals for the Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland Area Community Concert Band to the Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival -- the listing includes many performances which are free and open to the public.

Percussion, Fall Honors & Student Ensembles Recitals

The Department of Music at Ashland University announces a variety of recitals to close the fall semester including an all percussion recital, small ensembles recital which will feature brass, string and jazz groups, as well as the semi-annual Honors Recital showcasing the exceptional work by selected vocalists and instrumentalists. All of the concerts are free and open to the public and will be performed in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

On Monday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. under the direction of Liz Procopio, the AU Percussion Ensemble will present a wide variety of works featuring different styles of music performed by Stefan Jonsson and Matt Long. The recital program will also include performances by the University Drumline and the Neutrals Percussion Duo.

The AU Drumline is part of the AU Eagle Marching band, which performs for all home games, as well as traveling to marching exhibitions throughout Ohio. Members include Jonsson, Anthony Brown, Dylan Feo, Paulina Seneff, Steven Shrenkel, Layne Spencer, Nicholas Stupka, Molly Willard and Tiffany Zeigler.

Based in Dayton and formed in 2016 by Evan Miller and Andrew Seivert, the Neutrals Percussion Duo combines their Rust Belt underground upbringings and classical training into a contemporary ensemble firmly grounded by their Midwestern roots. Equal parts written works and electroacoustic improvisation, Neutrals performs established percussion duo repertoire, drone-based sound explorations, and above all, commissioned works by living composers. Past and current collaborators include composers Rob Funkhouser, Nate May, Hugh Sheehan, and Brooks Frederickson, percussionist Aaron Michael Butler, Cincinnati experimental ensemble Knee Play, and Indianapolis-based production company NoExit Performance.

The best of Fall 2018 will be showcased at the Honors Recital on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a jazz combo, brass ensemble and string ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Jane Reed, respectively.

Jazz at the Nest Returns Oct. 16

Led by Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music, the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) will present a free public concert on Tuesday, October 16 in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center’s Eagles Nest at 7:30 p.m.

Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music in the venue's relaxed, club-like atmosphere.

The concert will offer an eclectic mix of old and new arrangements including Belly Roll by Quincy Jones, I'm Beginning to See the Light by the team of Ellington, George, Hodges and James, Just a Closer Walk by Dean Sorenson, Vine Street Rumble by Benny Carter, Herbie Hancock's Wiggle Waggle and Cy Coleman's Witchcraft.

The 2018-2019 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Michael Spalding, Bridgid McDonald, Lauren DeBracy, Erica Wright and Ariane Hill; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Jennifer Wigton and Nathan Roblin on trumpet; trombonists Matthew MacDonald, Satch Garlock, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on horn; while the rhythm section consists of Alex Trotter on piano, Emily Ebert on bass, guitarist Oliver Dewey, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Gracie Fumic.

Two Jazz Concerts Next Week

The Department of Music announces two jazz concerts next week on Monday, April 16 at noon and Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Both concerts are free and open to all and they will be held in the Eagles Nest in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center.

The Monday concert over the noon hour will feature the "AU Lunch-Hour" Jazz Combo directed by Dr. Thomas Reed. The concert's program will be selected from the following pieces: Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma, Conversation Piece by Howie Smith, Guataca City by Paquito D'Rivera, Herbie Hancock's Watermelon Man, Wayne Shorter's Footprints, Joe Zawinul's Mercy, Mercy, Mercy and Thelonious Monk's Blue Monk.

Personnel for the "AU Lunch-Hour" Jazz Combo includes Branden Barber, trumpet; Frank Stanek, baritone; Dom Febbo, guitar; Moriah Goldsmith, piano; Jackson Schultz, bass; and Tyler Watson, drums.

Tuesday's evening concert will feature the Award-Winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock. Pre-show music will be provided by The FrankenDom Combo with Frank Stanek, trombone; Jennifer Wigton, trumpet; Dom Febbo, guitar; and Jackson Schultz, bass. They will perform pieces such as There Will Never Be Another You, Recordame, Scrapple from the Apple, How High the Moon, Have you met Miss Jones? and The Thrill is Gone.

This final concert on-campus for AUJO will feature a mix of tunes from the 1940s through the turn of the century such as swing, bossa nova, concert jazz, progressive jazz, jazz funk and some great energy. Immediately after the concert, the ensemble will leave to perform at the St. Louis Jazz Festival.

Jazz Vocalist Jane Monheit Headlines Maplerock

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 2018 Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 16. Along with free performances by area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which features acclaimed Grammy-nominated vocalist Jane Monheit.

Monheit will perform as the headliner of the Jazz Festival's evening concert which will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock. Ashland High School alumnus Chip Stephens, piano; Rich Shanklin, saxophone; and Bob Bonora, drums will join Monheit as guest artists on the evening program.

Blessed with “a voice of phenomenal beauty” (Stephen Holden, New York Times), Jane Monheit has had plenty of milestone moments in establishing herself as one of today’s best and most important vocalist-musicians. From being labeled a musical prodigy to her first runner-up finish in 1998’s Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition, Jane’s ingénue looks and passion for the Great American Songbook led her to producing Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald, her tenth studio recording since her 2000 debut, Never Never Land.

Monheit explains, "The Great American Songbook is always going to be the core for me. I have a real sense of pride and purpose about keeping it alive, bringing the music to new generations." It’s a national treasure. I’m really proud to be one of the singers that people want to hear handling that material.”

Jazz pianist Chip Stephens returns to his hometown to join Monheit at Maplerock. His collaborative, recording and world-wide touring with some of the legendary figures in the history of jazz would compile a dissertation. He has performed on Grammy and Emmy Award winning recordings and is sought after for his hard-swinging, powerful and lyrical pianism. As professor of jazz piano at the University of Illinois, Stephens has been consistently ranked in the top 10% of University of Illinois professors since 2005. He was recognized by the Provost, Vice Chancellor and the Committee on Tenure and Promotion as being “Extraordinary for the level of his Teaching and Collaborative Artistry.”

Saxophonist Rich Shanklin has been a faculty member at the University of Akron since 1982, where he teaches classical and jazz saxophone, coaches saxophone quartets, and teaches courses in jazz history, jazz arranging, woodwind pedagogy and the business of music. He has also directed the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He is a member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Unit, and the Blossom Festival Band, and has also played woodwinds for countless performances at Playhouse Square as a member of the pit orchestra.

Percussionist Bob Bonora has worked with a variety of entertainers, performing in virtually every hotel and showroom in Las Vegas. He currently is on the faculty of The College of Southern Nevada, where he is Lead Faculty for Music, coordinator of Percussion/Steel Drum and Drum Set Studies as well professor of History of Rock Music. Bob is also currently percussionist with Vegas! The Show at Planet Hollywood. He has performed as percussionist with The Wayne Newton Orchestra, and as a member of the Crimes Against Nature Band for the Emmy Award Nominated Penn & Teller television show “Sin City Spectacular.” He has also performed with an endless list of premier artists from Harry Connick, Jr. and Alicia Keys to Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Bob has done work in many of the Broadway shows playing in Las Vegas including The Producers, Mama Mia, We Will Rock You, Avenue Q, Annie, and The Full Monty.

These four guest artists will conduct a public clinic with nine area school bands that will perform earlier in the day in Hugo Young Theatre. After each band performs their 30-minute concert, the guest artists will meet with the band and offer their expertise to strengthen the ensemble and individual musician's performance. The Jazz Festival's afternoon performances are scheduled as follows:

11:30 a.m. Foundation Academy Jazz Band

12:00 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band B

12:30 p.m. Lake High School Jazz Band

1:00 p.m. Rittman High School Jazz Band

1:30 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band A

2:00 p.m. GlenOak High School Jazz Band II

2:30 p.m. Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Jazz Ensemble

3:00 p.m. Galion High School Jazz Band

3:30 p.m. GlenOak High School Jazz Band I

The afternoon performances are free and open to the public while tickets for the evening concert are available through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online (additional fees apply) at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students and Ashland University faculty and staff; and free for Ashland University students.

AU Faculty & Students Honored at OPCICA

Several AU students and faculty were honored this weekend at the annual Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductor's Association (OPCICA) honor bands concert. In addition to Ashland's Joseph Lewis and Dr. Scott Garlock serving as conductors, the following students represented Ashland University:

OPCICA Honors Concert Band
Erica Wheaton bass clarinet
Eric Watts bass trombone
Ariane Hill, flute
Stefan Jonsson, percussion
Jennifer Wigton, trumpet
Brandi Wells, tuba

OPCICA Honors Jazz Ensemble
Derek Rangel, lead tenor saxophone
Jason Wolf, baritone saxophone
Nik Psota, lead trumpet
Frank Stanek, bass trombone

AU Music Boasts Large Presence at OPCICA

On the weekend of Jan. 20, 21 at The College of Wooster, the annual Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductor's Association (OPCICA) honor bands will rehearse and perform. AU Music once again finds a great number of its students represented in this consortium including:

OPCICA Honors Concert Band
Erica Wheaton bass clarinet
Eric Watts bass trombone
Ariane Hill, flute
Stefan Jonsson, percussion
Jennifer Wigton, trumpet
Brandi Wells, tuba

OPCICA Honors Jazz Ensemble
Derek Rangel, lead tenor saxophone
Jason Wolf, baritone saxophone
Nik Psota, lead trumpet
Frank Stanek, bass trombone

Additionally, Ashland's Joseph Lewis will conduct a selection with the Honors Concert Band, and Dr. Scott Garlock will be one of the conductors of the Honors Jazz Ensemble. The Honors Jazz Ensemble will also be performing one of Dr. Garlock's works "Second in line for Pumpernickel."

Holiday Jazz Concert, Dec. 4

The Ashland University Department of Music will present an Ashland University Jazz Concert on Monday, December 4 at 7:30 pm in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert will offer pre-concert music from a jazz combo followed by jazz standards performed by the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) and the 2nd annual AUJO Alumni Band. For any alumni who are interested and available to participate, a rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 7-9 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

In addition to jazz standards, the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra's program will include selections from the ensemble's new holiday CD recording which features vocals by Cathi Muckle and is titled "AUJOy to the World." The CDs will be available for purchase at the concert and are $15 each.

The 2017-2018 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Jason Wolf, Derek Rangel, Josh Thompson, Lauren DeBracy and Ariane Hill; Nik Psota, Branden Barber, Jennifer Wigton and Emily Shordock on trumpet; trombonists Eric Watt, Hannah Drake and Frank Stanek; while the rhythm section consists of pianist and percussionist Stefan Jonsson, Alex Trotter on piano, Emily Ebert on bass, guitarist Dominic Febbo and vocalist Gracie Fumic.

Jazz Alumni Invited to Rehearse & Perform

Dr. Scott Garlock invites all AU Jazz alumni to a rehearsal for the 2nd annual AUJO Alumni Band on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 7-9 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The rehearsal will prepare the alumni band to perform at the Ashland University Jazz concert on Monday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. For more information, contact Scott at sgarlock@ashland.edu.