June 26, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Tuscaloosa, AL)-During the month of June, The University of Alabama School of Music played host to more than 200 junior and senior high school students from all over the state for Crimson Music Camp. The annual two-week event was a time of instruction for students who perform in jazz band, concert band, marching band, piano, and many others.

According to this year’s organizer, UA Assistant Director of Bands Randall Coleman, the camp was a success. In addition to participating in master classes, literature classes and performances, each student got the chance to spend their time here in dorms on the UA campus.

“It’s great because this gives them a chance to see what it is like to be a college student for a week,” Coleman said.

The camp is also a chance for students to work with individual faculty members and develop a relationship with the School of Music. Coleman said this time is one of many recruiting events throughout the year. Alabama All-State Orchestra and Alabama Honor Band, which are held at the School of Music in January and February, are a few others.

Coleman said this year’s event was made possible with the hard work of all the faculty members and graduate teaching assistants and volunteers who helped each day.

“Hopefully we will continue to grow, and be bigger and better in 2010,” Coleman said.

June 25, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Birmingham, AL)-On June 20, 2009, the University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble joined the multiple artists that performed at the City Stages Music Festival in Birmingham, AL.

Chris Kozak, director of Jazz Studies, accompanied the group on their performance.

“The students worked especially hard this year and they played very well as if we had never ended the semester,” Kozak said.

Jonathan Noffsinger, professor of saxophone, Eric Yates, professor of trumpet, and Jonathan Whitaker, professor of trombone also played a few selections with the ensemble. Two alumni, Gary Wheat and Glenn Dillard, also played with the group.

To read more about their performance, click here to read a review from The Birmingham News.