The West Virginia Wesleyan College Jazz Ensemble will embark on its annual spring tour Thursday, March 6. This will be the 33rd year of the tour since Dr. David Milburn, professor of music at Wesleyan, founded the Ensemble.

The tour will consist of 11 concerts in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Some of the Ensemble’s scheduled appearances include: Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Allison Park, Pa., and West Virginia University.
All hosts but one along the tour are West Virginia Wesleyan graduates or have ties to the College.

“We are very excited about this year’s tour,” commented Milburn. “Several students will get an opportunity to play in their hometowns or very close to it. And we expect to play before some very nice crowds.”

The band’s repertoire consists of a variety of tunes from the traditional Big Band Era, as well as many interesting contemporary compositions. Works of Buddy Rich, Rob McConnell, and Woody Herman will be featured.

Many local students will be performing with this year’s Ensemble:
David Morgan, trumpet – Buckhannon; Jason Whanger, trumpet – Buckhannon; Aaron Kittle, saxophone – Elkins; Desiree Langford, rhythm – Lost Creek; Chris Wray, saxophone – Lumberport; and Steve McGrew, trombone – Bridgeport.

Other members are from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and Japan.

“I believe the band really represents a cross-section of the campus and the region,” remarked Milburn. “I am also very proud of these kids. Every one of them has a grade-point-average over 3.0, and they have a variety of fields they want to go into.”

Following the tour, the Ensemble will present its home concert in Wesley Chapel on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 6
Bridgeport High School – Bridgeport (WV), Assembly Concert (morning).
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (UMC) – Allison Park (PA), Public Concert,
7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 7
Baldwin High School – Pittsburgh (PA), Assembly Concert, 11:10 a.m.
Showtime Theater – Scottsdale (PA), Public Concert, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 8
Christ UMC – Wheeling (WV), Public Concert, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 9
Christ UMC – Wheeling (WV), Public Service, 11 a.m.
Monday, March 10
Winfield High School – Winfield (WV), Assembly Concert, 9:30 a.m.
Cabell Midland High School – Barboursville (WV), Assembly Concert, 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11
Spring Valley High School – Huntington (WV), Assembly Concert (morning).
Highlawn UMC – Huntington (WV), Public Concert, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12
West Virginia University – Morgantown (WV), joint concert with WVU Jazz Ensemble, 8:15 p.m.