The annual Faculty Showcase concert on Friday, October 23 in White Concert Hall showcased Washburn’s music faculty. It features a collection of both vocal and instrumental artists who are not only incredible musicians, but fantastic educators as well.

The concert was organized by Shiao-Li Ding, who has been coordinating the program for five years. Her duties as organizer are to collect programs from different faculty members and put them together in a cohesive manner.

She decided to take over organizing the event in order to help the faculty show their musical skills outside of the classroom. She felt it was important to share the faculty’s talents with the students.

The first piece performed was a piece called “Celebration” by Gordon McQuere, an organ piece in commemoration of WU’s 150th anniversary. Another notable performance was from Andrea Garritano, the director of opera music. With the help of Patricia Gibson on piano, Garritano performed “Ritorna vincitor” from Giuseppe Verdi’s classic opera “Aida.” Garritano recently directed the opera “The Medium,” performed by the WU Opera Studio. Garritano is not only an impressive teacher and director, but graced with an amazing voice.

The concert ended with a series of jazz songs performed by the WU Faculty Jazz Quartet, made up of Craig Treinen, Tom Morgan, Gordon Lewis and Joe Schoonover. Their performance was clever and they had some great selections.

Inside the program for the concert was a small insert that gave a history of WU’s music program.

“Music has a long history at Washburn with many traditions,” reads the insert. “But the faculty and students seek innovative and creative ways to learn, perfect and share their talents with the campus, the surrounding community and their profession. Here’s to the next 150 years!”