Friends of Music Dinner Spotlights Big Band Sounds

Mississippi College Jazz Band members will soon spice things up with the lively sounds of Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and many other greats.

But there’s much more to the Friends of Music event than a superb performance of Big Band era hits combined with contemporary jazz tunes on February 11.

The university’s 8^th annual Friends of Music dinner will combine a delicious meal with a silent auction, dancing and much more. The place to be that Saturday evening will be MC’s Anderson Hall on the Clinton campus. The program begins at 6:30 p.m.

“It is amazing that this is the 8^th year for this event,” says MC Director of Bands Craig S. Young. “It has become such a tradition, and we are really thankful that people show so much support and enthusiasm for this fun and exciting event.”

Young hopes as many people as possible pack Anderson Hall for the evening’s festivities. “The more the merrier!” the MC music professor says.

Tickets are $50 per person and all the profits go to the Friends of Music to support the Mississippi College Music Department.

In recent days, Jazz Band members have stayed busy in practice sessions to get for the night’s all-star musical lineup.

Jazz Band newcomers include Clinton High graduate Matthew Little, who plays trombone. Other students from metro Jackson include trumpet player Jeremy Donald of Pearl, Allison Forst of Terry on saxophone, Jared Olson of Madison on drums, and Byram residents Tyler Griffin on trombone and DeAnna Emhovic on saxophone.

Others rounding out the band include Anna Boyd of Belden and Nicholas Fuqua of Forest, who both play trumpet, John Gray of Southaven on saxophone, Jarrod Hill of Columbus on bass and Kaleb Vanlandingham of Hazlehurst on trombone. “So much of the music is really good and classic big band,” says drummer Kirk Hensley, 19, of Winter Garden, Florida.

Hensley, who also plays bass guitar, predicts the Friends of Music event will be a real treat for music lovers.

No doubt, it will be a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2012 a little early.

The silent auction will feature artwork, pottery, jewelry and photography. Music patrons are advised to make reservations a week prior to February 11. To reserve tickets, contact Dottie Serio at 601.925.3440 or serio@mc.edu.