By Nevaeh Porter, Arts Editor
On Sept. 19, 2026 the Jazz Band and Jazz Combo performed at Aquinas’ homecoming.
Homecoming at Aquinas is a day for former saints to return home and experience a day on campus. There are typically games going on throughout the day, activities on Holmdene lawn under the tents, food trucks and music being performed under the tent in front of the chapel.
This year, the Jazz Band took the stage under the tent and began their performance at around 2 p.m. They played the tunes of “Blues Machine”, “Blue Monk” and “Cold Duck Time.” Each song featured different soloists and represented some of the various styles of Jazz music.
Jazz Band preparing to start their set – Photo by Cristian Zacharias
The first song the Jazz Band played was “Blues Machine” by Michael Sweeney. This is an energetic, medium-fast paced jazz blues song. For the solo section of this song, soloists included Shawni Thelen, Logan Licence, Daphne Weber, Skylar LeBron, Lauren Espy, Eliana Mandarano, Gavin Padgett, Amara German, James Baur, Kyle Devine and James Baur.
“I liked when I got to lay into quarter note rhythms with the trombones,” sophomore baritone saxophone Benjamin Baur said. “I also enjoyed the shout chorus.”
The next song the Jazz Band played was “Blue Monk” by Thelonious Monk and arranged by Michael Sweeney. This is a slower paced song that begins with a trumpet and tenor saxophone duet, played by Tristen Johnson on trumpet and Thelen on tenor saxophone. This piece also has a solo section starting with Thelen, adding Licence, German, Weber, Mandarano, Espy, ending this section with Johnson then leading into the next section with a solo from Padgett.
“I honestly enjoyed just getting to sit back and listen to Tristen Johnson and Shawni Thelen play their duet,” B.Baur said.
The last song the Jazz Band played was “Cold Duck Time” by Eddie Harris and arranged by Alan Baylock. This song is a fast-paced tune with a straight-eighth note groove throughout the piece. This song features soloist Thelen on her tenor saxophone.
“When we all play in the beginning, then it cuts and only the bass line and drumset is playing,” freshman trombone J.Baur said about his favorite part “Cold Duck Time.” “Seeing everyone nod to the pulse at the same time is cool.”
Shawni Thelen and Tristen Johnson playing their duet in “Blue Monk” – Photo by Cristian Zacharias
Each of these songs had an open solo section for students to have a chance to showcase their improvisation skills if they choose to do so. That was the reasoning for choosing these songs to play at homecoming.
“They offer a lot of solo space for students and are a good opportunity to blow,” Doctor Thomas Polett Director and Chair of the Music Department said when asked why he chose these three songs for them to play at homecoming.
Homecoming gave these students the chance to feel out their first performance jitters. It gave them a taste of what their first concert may feel like, and that was another benefit of them playing at homecoming.
“I think it definitely made me feel better about the concert,” J.Baur said. “I actually wasn’t nervous about playing at homecoming. I think we did really well at homecoming, and that we were more alive in our music than we were in the classroom.”
“I felt fine playing at homecoming,” said B.Baur. “Playing there and hearing how well we did, I feel confident for our upcoming concert.”
The Jazz Band’s next performance is on Oct. 2, 2026 at 7 p.m. in Kretschmer Recital Hall in the Arts and Music Building for the Fall Instrumental Showcase.
