Conservatory Takes Manhattan, Part 2

Conservatory of Music students, faculty, and alumni converged in New York City in mid January for the 2013 Illumination Tour, three days of making music that ranged from baroque to jazz, from contemporary to classical. Gathered here are photos from two of the four venues in which the musicians performed—Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Brick Presbyterian Church. (Photos from the DiMenna Center and Carnegie Hall were published January 23.)

The Oberlin Jazz Faculty Ensemble kicked off the tour on Tuesday, January 15, playing two shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy's Club Coca Cola. The line-up included nine faculty members; Sean Jones, trumpet; Gary Bartz, saxophone; Robin Eubanks, trombone; Jay Ashby, trombone; Bobby Ferrazza, guitar; Dan Wall, piano; Peter Dominguez, bass; Paul Samuels, drums; and Billy Hart, drums. The ensemble performed completely original material, all written by members of the band, with the exception of the evening's opening tune “Shoo-Fly” by Wendell Logan, founder of Oberlin's Department of Jazz Studies.

On Saturday, January 19, the Oberlin College Choir under the direction of Jason Harris, assistant professor of choral conducting and director of choral ensembles, and Oberlin Baroque performed at the historic Brick Presbyterian Church. Brick Church live streamed both ensembles’ performances. The video is available for viewing—and, more importantly, listening—on the Brick Church website.

More photos of rehearsals as well as performances are on the conservatory’s Facebook page, and videos from behind the scenes are on Oberlin’s YouTube channel. Three student musicians blogged for Symphony Now about preparing for the tour.