At 3 p.m. on Nov. 2, students, faculty and families gathered in Laurie Auditorium to watch Trinity University Jazz Ensemble’s annual fall concert.
The 18-member big-band performed eight pieces by composers ranging from classic John Coltrane to contemporary Michele Fernández. Audience members bobbed their heads to the upbeat ”Cute” by Neil Hefti, swayed their bodies to the slower “Fun Time” by Sammy Nestico and met every solo with much applause throughout the concert.
This performance was the ensemble’s first fall concert that Ryan Hagler, Grammy-nominated bassist and assistant professor of music, directed.
Hagler previously taught music at another private liberal arts institution, Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, where his band primarily consisted of music majors, he said. In contrast, the Trinity University Jazz Ensemble is made up of students from a variety of disciplines, which Hagler said he enjoys.
“It’s obviously a different thing, but the students are super engaged. They’re super talented, and they’re really smart. It’s different, but I love it,” Hagler said. “They’re very enthusiastic, which even music majors aren’t always. Everybody in this band is here because they want to be here, so that’s a special thing.”
*This is an ongoing story. Check back on Nov. 14 for more coverage.
