Jazz Combo Concert



Guest Artist: Bill Reder

On February 17, the Music Department was honored to host guest artist Bill Reder for the Jazz Combo Concert. Mr. Reder was a distinguished saxophonist in Las Vegas for more than 20 years. He performed for many famous artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mickey Rooney, Liberace, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lewis. He now teaches woodwinds at College of the Ozarks while also performing at the Showboat Branson Bell.

This was the first concert hosted by the Jazz Combo. The Jazz Combo is a small student ensemble that focuses on improvisation of various jazz styles. Generally, combo groups play tunes completely through first, then proceed by playing variations of the tunes through individual solos. Individual solos include piano, trumpet, woodwinds, bass, and drums. 

Dr. Kevin Powers

During the Jazz Combo Concert, a group of three students performed along with Dr. Kevin Powers and Mr. Reder. Dr. Powers, director for the College of the Ozarks' bands, played trumpet for the Jazz Combo Concert. Dr. Powers holds a masters degree in Trumpet performance and a doctorate degree in wind conducting.  

Bass Player: Chris White

Bassist Chris White is a senior computer science major. At an early age, Chris started learning music on the guitar, but at Dr. Power’s request, Chris learned the bass for Jazz Combo. 

Drummer: Taylor Dodson

The Combo’s drummer, Taylor Dodson, is a junior communication arts major with an emphasis in audio and radio. When he first joined the combo, Taylor originally played the guitar, but this semester as a change, he decided to perform on drums. 

Pianist: Caleb Vester

Senior, Caleb Vester, a double major in accounting and piano, performs the piano for not only Jazz Combo, but also in the Jazz Band. Caleb began his improvisational career with a hymnal from his church when he was 15. He continues his career by performing at venues such as Dobyns Dining Room at The Keeter Center.

During the concert, a variety of jazz styles were played including Samba, Swing, Ballads, Soul, and Funk. When asked to explain the experience performing with such an honored guest and distinguished musician, Chris said, “It was an honor to play with a professional musician like Mr. Reder. I learned a lot from listening to his phrasing and dynamic choices.” After the concert, Dr. Powers reflected, “The concert was a complete success. It was a lot of fun playing with Mr. Reder. The students did great and played like experienced jazz musicians.” The Jazz Combo will perform again in the Jazz Band Concert on April 29^th this semester.  

Eugenia Jeong Guest Piano Recital

Guest Pianist, Eugenia Jeong

On February 11, the Music Department was excited to host guest pianist Eugenia Jeong. Ms. Jeong taught Applied Piano, Class Piano, and Music History classes while Dr. Clara Christian was on maternity leave. Laura Berthold, an Applied Piano student, said that “Ms. Jeong really helped me pay attention to each note and to play more expressively.”

Ms. Jeong holds a Bachelor’s degree in in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music with Nelita True, and a master’s degree at Northwestern University in Piano Performance. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Piano Performance. The recital program spanned the major musical periods, beginning in the Baroque Era with Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp major from Book 1 in the Well-Tempered-Clavier. Next, she played Haydn’s Sonata in E-flat major, a harmonically expressive piece from the Classical Period. Leaping to the 20th Century, Ms. Jeong played Bates’ White Lies for Lomax and Kurtág’s Játékok, which comprises several small, playful pieces reminiscent of childhood. Ms. Jeong ended her recital in the Romantic Period with Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G minor, a gorgeous and dramatic, melody driven composition.

 Lydia Burnett, a second semester freshman Vocal Music Education Major, attended the recital and said that “Ms. Jeong not only played the piano brilliantly, she made it come alive. The music seemed to flow from her fingertips as they flew across the smooth keys and the melody took shape and resonated from deep within the soul. Ms. Jeong invited the audience to join in the story of music and I felt very much a part of the story.”


Ms. Jeong has been an active presence and a blessing in the Music Department during her short time here. Her recital was a beautiful and moving experience for all who attended. We will miss her but wish her the very best in her future musical endeavors.

Graduating Seniors of 2016

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller This semester, several of our seniors will be graduating and embarking into the unknown. We asked three of the graduating seniors - Walker Boldman, Brian Silengo, and Elizabeth Stuart – to expound on their journey at College of the Ozarks. Walker Boldman is a double major in Mathematics and Music. He is pursuing careers in music and/or engineering. However, his ultimate goal in life is to serve Christ wherever he is. One of the biggest influences on his time here at C of O has been Dr. Bruce Gerlach.

Walker Boldman

Walker has been influenced in many different ways by him and regards Dr. Gerlach as an encouragement, mentor and teacher. In any of his spare seconds, Walker loves reading a good book and traveling. When asked what the biggest takeaway he could offer to any current or future student at C of O, Walker stated, “Never tell someone you’re too busy to do something. You’ll miss so many opportunities and chances to meet new people and do new things.”

Brian Silengo

 Brian Silengo is a Music Ministry major with a minor in Christian Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies. His future plans include moving back to Colorado, getting married, having kids – and lots of dogs! In addition, he would eventually like to go to Seminary. For his career path, Brian desires to serve God as a worship leader and music minister. People that have greatly influenced him are Dr. Chinn and Dr. Osbourne, for teaching him how to be an effective church leader, how to study the Word, and how to love people better. Dr. Gerlach and Dr. Cornish have also impacted his life by giving him an intense passion for music and pushing Brian to his musical limits. Brian’s favorite thing to do in his free time is to play guitar with his best friend, Hayden Rush. The biggest takeaways he offers to present and future students is, “To always take time to build relationships that would last a lifetime, to save your notes (because you’ll never know when they’ll help you in the long run), and to work hard and take assignments seriously – you take away what you put in.”

Elizabeth Stuart

Elizabeth Stuart is a Musical Theatre major and dreams of starting her own musical theatre/business school. Her favorite pastimes are being in musicals, as well as the “Christmas Card” hosted for the community at C of O annually. Some of the people that have influenced her the most during her C of O college career are her voice teachers: Jennifer Wolcott, Marsha Goldsmith, Gregg Busch, Mark and Lisa Young, and Dr. Bruce Gerlach. If she could offer any advice to any student, Elizabeth stated, “To listen to God first and foremost! His plans are always bigger and better for us. Although I am going into a profession where it is difficult at times to find a job, in the great words of Carrie Wilkerson, ‘Impact is immeasurably more important than income…’ For me, it is about showing God’s glory through my talent and the difference I can hopefully make in people’s lives.”

In conclusion, one is always making an impact, no matter the person, the circumstances, or the place in life. We pray that the seniors will disperse in the world, making a godly impact on every seen and unseen person they inspire. “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put some things behind, [and] will pass an invisible boundary… If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” –Henry David Thoreau

Congratulations

2016 Seniors