By Nevaeh Porter, Arts Editor
On Oct. 3, 2026 the Aquinas Music Department had their Fall Instrumental Concert. There were performances from a number of groups: College Band, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Strings, Jazz Combo and Jazz Band. Each group performed two to three selections.
College Band was the first of the ensembles to play directed by Ted Craig, Co-Director of Bands. They began the concert playing Fanfare and Flourishes, continued with Hymn for the Innocent and ended with Wolverine Summer. Fanfare and Flourishes is a piece by James Curnow that is an attention grabbing piece with bold and powerful brass features.
Hymn for the Innocent is written by Julie Giroux. This piece is a tribute to all of the innocent lives that have been lost. Whether that be due to disease, accidents, acts of violence and those who have served or are currently serving in the military, domestically or abroad.
Wolverine Summer is written by Randall D. Standridge is inspired by summer camps where fun and memories are created, utilizing lively dance elements to depict youthful energy and that fun-filled air.
College Band warming up – Photo by Cristian Zacharias
Next up was Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Thomas Polett, music department chair. They began their set with Halcyon Hearts, transitioned to On a Hymn Song for Philipa Bliss and finished their set with Rollo Takes a Walk. Halcyon Hearts is by Katahj Copley. This piece is about being in a time of peace or happiness in life, then going on an unexpected journey and finding love. The work is centered around the major seventh cords to create the warmth that love brings. The bright opening is based on the unexpected journey of finding said love.
On a Hymn Song for Philipa Bliss is a piece by David R. Holsinger and is based on the hymn It Is Well With My Soul. Rollo Takes a Walk is by David Maslanka and is about a character named Rollo (created by Charles Ives) and the composer takes the audience on a musical outing exploring commonplace ideas from a satirical perspective.
Chamber Strings continued the program Joseph Oprea, Adjunct Lecturer: Double Bass and Chamber Strings. Their set had a theme of struggles and featured selections Andante Festivo and Pictures At An Exhibition. Andante Festivo is written by Jean Sibelius and is a piece that gives each section a chance to shine in the flowing lines. Pictures At An Exhibition is written by Modest Mussorgsky and arranged by Elliot A. Del Borgo. This piece required the students to play in a bold style, due to the biting harmonies and the accurate performance of chromatic intervals.
Jazz Combo was next up, also directed by Professor Oprea. They played two selections. Their pieces were In a Mellow Tone and Come On Come Over. In a Mellow Tone is written by Duke Ellington and arranged by John Berry. This piece is an Ellington swing standard in a setting more suited for young jazz combos.
Come On Come Over is written by Jaco Pastorius and Bob Herzog and arranged by Mark Taylor. This selection is a funk classic from Jaco Pastorius with a prominent role for the bass player and has back-and-forth riffs that are traded between groups within the band.
“My favorite part of the concert was Benjamin Baur in a fedora,” Joel Warren, student audience member, said. “My second favorite part was how the Jazz Combo was performed. It felt very natural and free-flowing.”
Espy singing “In A Mellow Tone” for Jazz Combo – Photo by Cristian Zacharias
Finally, Jazz Band ended the concert conducted by Dr. Polett. They played three selections of pieces: Orange Colored Sky, Georgia on my Mind and Blues Machine. Orange Colored Sky is written by Delugg & Stein and arranged by Roger Holmes. This selection is a swingin up-tempo style song that shines a spotlight on the vocal soloist, in this case, Lauren Espy.
“Orange Colored Sky because Lauren was great on vocals and the backing was great,” said senior trumpet Logan Licence when asked which song was his favorite.
Georgia On My Mind is a bluesy ballad that featured vocal soloist Ashlyn Armock as well as a tenor sax solo played by Shawni Thelen. The lyrics were written by Stuart Gorrell, music by Hoagy Carmichael and arranged by Dave Wolpe.
Blues Machine is a selection by Michale Sweeney that the band played at Homecoming. This piece helps to teach style and improvisation to students. This run through there were numerous solos throughout the band from each section.
“I thought that the musicians were good and I thoroughly enjoyed watching,” Warren said.
Armock singing “Georgia On My Mind” during Jazz Band – Photo by Cristian Zacharias
“I think it went really well,” Licence said. “Trumpets got a lot more compliments about our tone, and the band overall played better. Jazz had its rough moments, but that’s expected, but I look forward to improving more and playing better at the next concert.”
The next time each of these groups perform will be on Friday Nov. 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Kretschmer Recital Hall in the Arts and Music Building.
