West Chester University Music Ensembles “Jazz Up” Chester County Hospital Gala
Three ensembles from West Chester University’s esteemed Wells School of Music entertained
the more than 300 guests who attended the Chester County Hospital Gala at Longwood
Gardens on Saturday, May 4.
Students “blew out” the evening’s theme - New Orleans Jazz Night – by playing a variety
of jazz from the books of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nelson Riddle and Thad Jones
big band. Guests were treated to New Orleans themed Walking Down Bourbon Street as
you take part in the New Orleans inspired cuisine and cocktails.
West Chester’s beloved Criterions Jazz Ensemble performed, as well as its newly formed spin-off, the Crites 2nd Line Brass Band, who jumped in with a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In. A Guitar/Bass duo also performed at a pre-party at Galer Estate Vineyard & Winery. In all, about 20 students entertained throughout the evening.
Chris Hanning, Dean of the Wells School of Music says, “It’s important for us here at West Chester to be active members in our community, and to give our students these valuable performance opportunities. It reminds the community that we are here, providing high-level training for students to succeed as professionals.”
Michael J. Duncan, President and CEO of Chester County Hospital says, “We always want to have the highest level of talent at these types of events, and the students from West Chester were truly excellent and made the entire evening so much livelier. They were every bit as professional as someone we could have hired from New York or elsewhere.”
He adds, “They also gave our event a community feel and a tie to the community that we serve,” he adds. “To have this level of talent right here in Chester County is amazing.”
West Chester University’s Wells School of Music offers students an outstanding opportunity in concentrated performance and musicianship through its educational centerpiece — the Applied Music Department. The School’s superior performance and practice venues include 22 new Steinways, Skinner organ, tech lab, Roland piano lab, and more. Students study with renowned faculty who have dual careers as dedicated educators and professional musicians. Faculty provide private lessons for all music students and are the directors for numerous student ensembles. The School supports a wide variety of performance degrees, including a Bachelor of Music in Performance, as well as a Master of Music in Performance. Graduates pursue successful careers at major institutions and teach music education at home and abroad. For the community, West Chester ensembles and faculty perform over 300 concerts each academic year, many of them free and open to the public. For information, visit https://www.wcupa.edu/arts/.