On Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre, the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble will present a concert made up entirely of Christmas favorites.
Programmed and conducted by Scott Meier, Ph.D., this concert will feature works arranged by Gordon Goodwin, Harry Connick Jr., Sammy Nestico, John Clayton and others.
Student soloists for the evening will be senior Music major Caden Gilson on baritone saxophone, freshman Morgan Dowches playing tenor saxophone, sophomore Music major Cameron Porter on trombone, freshman Music Education major Ethan Wicker on percussion and Meier himself on soprano saxophone.
In addition, there will be four guest vocalists: Nick Carver, sophomore Music major, will sing “Sleigh Ride”; Lacey Shumake, junior Music Therapy major, will sing “White Christmas”; Alexis Webb, junior Music major, will sing “Santa Baby”; and Caitlyn Cressley, freshman Music Education major, will sing “Jingle Bells.”
Meier chose many pieces that he loves for this concert, including a version of “Santa Baby” which listeners will recognize as the one performed famously by Eartha Kitt, and Gordon Goodwin’s arrangement of “Let It Snow,” which makes references to the famous big band chart “Cute.”
Connick’s arrangement of “Sleigh Ride” will also be performed; Meier says that Connick’s “style of arranging is just fabulous.”
Tickets to this performance cost $5 for the general public and $2 for Mercyhurst students, faculty and children aged 12 and under.