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Jordan Mack, trombonist, performs in Jazzocracy. The event started at 7:30 p.m.
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Yared Romo, junior music performance and music education major, performs on saxophone in Jazzocracy. Altogether four pieces were performed in Jazzocracy.
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Brody Campbell, pianist, performs in Jazzocracy. Around 100 spectators were present in these ensembles.
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Craig Treinen, department chair and director of jazz studies and applied saxophone, performs on saxophone. Treinen serves as the education director for the Topeka jazz workshop Inc. and serves as a board member for the Sunflower Music Festival.
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Frankie Anguiano, drummer, performs in both Jazz Orchestra and Jazzocracy. Altogether five pieces were played in the Jazz Orchestra.
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Treinen conducts the Jazz Orchestra using his hand. He is also a graduate of Washburn University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and saxophone performance.
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Nicky Stevens, freshman physics major, performs bass guitar in Jazz Orchestra. Stevens described that she enjoyed traditional Sandunga music in the performance.
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All the performers stand during the final part of the concert to thank the audience for attending. At the end of the concert, the audience applauds loudly to praise the performance.
On May 5, Washburn University music department presented Washburn University Jazz Ensembles featuring Jazzocracy and Washburn University Jazz Orchestra. The ensembles started at 7:30 p.m. at James Hurd Recital Hall.
Craig Treinen directed the jazz. He currently serves as department chair and director of jazz studies and applied saxophone. He is also the education director for the Topeka Jazz Workshop Inc. and sits on the board of the Sunflower Music Festival.
Treinen described how he selected the pieces for this ensemble.
“Just whatever I feel like kids need to learn, and so I just been doing this for so long,” Treinen said. “I just know bump charts and I just wherever we need to grow at, that’s what I select.”
Treinen said his main goal was simply to make it to the end of the semester and enjoy the experience, noting that the students had worked hard all semester. He said there were not many specific goals for the performance other than having fun, enjoying playing together and having a good time.
Treinen also shared how he encouraged individually while maintaining cohesion in the group.
“Jazz is the improvisation part of it, it allows them to be an individual, but in the group, when we’ve configured the stuff together, that’s when we have to be cohesive,” Treinen said. “So it’s there’s a separation, so they get a chance to be who they are when they’re soloing, but when they’re with the ensemble, playing as an ensemble, then we have to be cohesive. Play together.”
Yared Romo, junior music performance and music education major and saxophonist, described how he felt while performing at the event.
“I’m a little nervous before, but once you get going, the adrenaline kind of kicks in,” Romo said.
Nicky Stevens, freshman physics and bass guitarist, shared that she feels nervous and excited while performing. Stevens described how she prepared for this event.
“I try and stick that I play at least an hour a day,” Stevens said. “That doesn’t always happen, especially with finals coming up, but I try and practice as much as I can.”
The jazz ensembles concluded at 9 p.m., with a total of nine pieces performed throughout the event. The Washburn University Music Department continues to host additional musical events. For updates on upcoming performances, visitors can check the department’s website.
Edited by Stuti Khadka
