A trio of pieces from different eras of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra highlight a collection of all-classic big band music to be performed on the DePauw University Jazz Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 in the Green Center’s Kresge Auditorium.

The program, which marks the final performance together by a pillar group of graduating seniors, also includes works by Stan Kenton and Duke Ellington. An arrangement from Nelson Riddle rounds out the repertoire.

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The DePauw University School of Music invites the community to come to Kresge Auditorium -- joyful and triumphant -- to hear its angelic ensembles herald in the season during its seventh annual Holiday Gala. This year’s festivities will be presented in two performances in DePauw's Green Center for the Performing Arts. Audiences can attend the full-length version of the popular program on Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m., or choose to attend a shorter, one-hour concert for families and children on Sunday, December 3 at 3 p.m.

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DePauw University School of Music faculty, staff and students will celebrate the start of a new year with a new addition to its seasonal programming. To the university’s annual Family Weekend festivities, the School of Music is introducing a Fall Gala.

Featuring performances by all of the university’s major student ensembles — band, choirs, jazz ensemble and orchestra — with works ranging from “Amazing Grace” to Leadbelly’s “Rock Island Line,” the gala-style concert will be presented Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Center’s Kresge Auditorium.

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New 2017-18 all-access passes to the DePauw University School of Music concert season are now available for purchase through September 10. In addition to savings on the popular Green Guest Artist Series, this year’s pass — which will use the Center’s new Eventbrite ticketing system — continues to offer convenient “swipe and go” admission to a wide array of events, including the U.S. Air Force Concert Band & Singing Sergeants, Holiday Gala, Music of the 21st Century festival, DePauw Opera, and master classes by Broadway stars such as Laura Bell Bundy and Alice Ripley ’85, along with all School of Music student concerts and recitals.

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When the DePauw Jazz Ensemble, led by DePauw University professor Steve Snyder, takes the stage for its first fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Green Center’s Kresge Auditorium, debuting along with it will be a new octet.

Wednesday’s program is inspired by a gift from DePauw alumnus Anthony Minstein, a 1974 graduate, who recently provided the group with many classic arrangements for this unique, new eight-piece instrumentation.

“The DePauw Jazz Ensemble has grown musically and artistically every year,” said Snyder, director of jazz studies at DePauw, “prompting the addition of a new group formed from members of the larger band. It’s comprised of the lead players in each of the winds — Lead Trumpet, Lead Trombone, Lead Alto (doubling on bari sax in the octet) and Lead Tenor — along with the full rhythm section.

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The DePauw Jazz Ensemble will welcome the Greencastle Middle School Jazz Band to the Kresge Auditorium stage Wednesday, April 27 for the ensemble's last concert of the semester.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the DePauw University Green Center for the Performing Arts.

The 22-member GMS band -- led by volunteer DePauw student instructors Ciara McManus, Leland Nelson, Spencer Schillerstrom and Allan Whitehead -- will open the program with such standards as Henri Mancini's "The Pink Panther" and Neal Hefti's classic "Li'l Darlin'."

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The DePauw University School of Music presents one of the favorite events of the fall season, DePauwpalooza, this Friday, September 18, at 5:30 p.m. It features not only free music but complimentary pizza. At the School of Music, September is synonymous with DePauwpalooza. Held with the assistance of DePauw Student Government, the entire DePauw community is invited to join in the outdoor celebration in Bowman Park.

Six acts will be presented, with the University Band warming up the audience with Richard Saucedo’s “Wind Sprints,” a whirlwind of sound followed by the DePauw Chamber Singers, the cast from the department of theatre and communication's upcoming production of Spamalot, the University Chorus, and the Jazz Ensemble. As a prelude to its first fall concert, at 3 p.m. this Sunday (9/20) in Kresge Auditorium, the DePauw University Orchestra will close out the set with three pieces, including music by renowned film composer John Williams.

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The DePauw Jazz Ensemble welcomes renowned trombonist John Fedchock to the Kresge Auditorium stage for a performance featuring the Grammy-nominated artist's original compositions Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Center for the Performing Arts.

Fedchock has soloed with many of the world's most prominent jazz musicians including Woody Herman, Louis Bellson, T.S. Monk and Gerry Mulligan.

A distinguished, in-demand studio musician, he has also achieved critical acclaim for his work as a producer and arranger on several recordings, including "New York Big Band" and "On The Edge."

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The DePauw Jazz Ensemble will present its first concert of the semester on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Center's Kresge Auditorium. The ensemble will bring an extremely varied set to the stage, mixing funk, swing and hard bop, with classic jazz tunes and less familiar works, including some great charts by Don Menza, Bob Mintzer, Paul McKee, Eric Richards, Frank Mantooth and Toshiko Akiyoshi.

The jazz ensemble swings just as hard as last semester, but with an added flair: new soloists. Saxophonists Tyler Schaefers and Aubrey Ault and trumpet player Laura Egyed will be adding their individual flavor to the group’s stylings this spring.

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Jazz lovers are invited to be on hand as Steven Snyder makes his debut as the new director of the DePauw Jazz Ensemble in its first concert of the season on Tuesday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Center’s Kresge Auditorium.

Snyder, who comes to DePauw University School of Music from his previous teaching post at Morehead State, says he is thrilled to be at DePauw and is excited about the band’s first concert. “I absolutely love it here.  In addition to teaching the Jazz Ensemble, which is our big band, I have three combos, which vary in size from five to eight players. I’m teaching jazz history class, and I am working with Jazz at the Duck, booking performers and playing there quite often.”

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