The West Virginia Wesleyan College Jazz Ensemble will perform its home concert on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Wesley Chapel.

It will be their final scheduled performance of the year.

“It is always a great thrill to end the year with a concert at the College,” remarked Dr. David Milburn, conductor of the Jazz Ensemble. “I think playing here adds a little more pressure to a performance. It is certainly different playing in front of a high school crowd than it is in front of your peers. But performing before the College is something that we look forward to doing.”

Members of the ensemble represent several states as well as the local area, and are as far away as Japan. Seniors in the ensemble performing for the last time will be: Brian Cavanagh, trumpet – Woodbury, NJ; Joshua George, saxophone – Limington, ME; John Herold, trombone – Mars, PA; Steve McGrew, trombone – Bridgeport, WV; and Jason Whanger, trumpet – Buckhannon, WV.

The concert program will include 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.

The ensemble just recently returned from its annual spring concert tour in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Performances were held at various venues such as churches, high schools, and a tour-ending joint concert with the West Virginia University Jazz Ensemble.

“We had another wonderful tour,” stated Dr. Milburn.

Dr. Milburn conducts Wesleyan’s Jazz Ensemble. Milburn is a native of Jeannette, PA, and is a Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Chairman of the Music Department at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

The concert is free and open to the public.