** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Jazz Ensemble Concert November 10

Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Department of Music presents the university’s Jazz Ensemble in concert Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Theater, 800 National Ave.

Highlands University music professor Edward Harrington directs the Jazz Ensemble. Music faculty member Kevin Zoernig is the pianist and concert co-director.

“This year’s Jazz Ensemble concert features arrangements by the great jazz arranger Dave Wolpe who was born in 1936,” Harrington said. “He was a lead trombonist for the Les Brown orchestra, and later wrote and arranged for Ray Anthony, Glen Miller, and many others. In addition to the Wolpe arrangements for big band, we will perform pieces by our resident jazz composer, arranger, and pianist Kevin Zoernig.”

Harrington said the current makeup of the Jazz Ensemble includes saxophones, trumpets, rhythm section, and percussionists. The student percussionists rotate from the drum kit to hand percussion. The string section has tripled, with members playing violin, viola, and cello.

Several Highlands students will be sharing their vocal talents, including Nita Lujan, Janie Lou Chavez, Jaylene Garcia, Joe Thompson, and Cierra Gomez.

The concert musical selections include:
“And I Am Telling You,” featuring Nita Lujan, vocals
“Alright, Ok, You Win,” featuring Janie Lou Chavez, vocals
“C Jam Blues,” featuring Eli Babe, violin
“Con Alma,” featuring Jamie Garcia, trumpet
“Desert Air,” featuring community member Bruce Holmes, alto saxophone
“Dream A Little Dream,” featuring Jaylene Garcia, vocals
“Ghost Patrol,” featuring Kevin Zoernig, piano
“Have You Met Miss Jones,” featuring Reyes Montoya, guitar
“Hot Hot Hot,” featuring Danny Sharp, guitar
“I Mean You,” featuring community member Steve Leger, trumpet
“Inseparable,” featuring Nita Lujan, vocals
“In The Mood,” featuring Luisa Pachecho, trumpet
“I’ve Got The World On String,” featuring Geneva Poteet, cello
“Just Friends,” featuring Joe Thompson, vocals
“Passion Dance,” featuring Luisa Pacheco, trumpet
“Prince of Darkness,” featuring community member Mark Gillingham, baritone saxophone
“Saving All My Love,” featuring Cierra Gomez, vocals
“Sea Journey,” featuring community member Beth Alderette, alto saxophone
“Shirley Lou,” featuring Miguel Martinez, percussion
“Sweet Lorraine,” Donaciano Vigil, percussion.

Other Highlands students participating in the Jazz Ensemble include Christopher Barela on alto saxophone, Miguel Martinez and Sebastian Jaramillo on percussion, Martin Neddo-Roaque on tenor saxophone, and Yareli Ramos-Gonzalez on viola.

Ticket prices for the Jazz Ensemble concert are $10. Highlands and other students with valid IDs are free.