EWU’s music department hosted its Jazz Night concert on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., filling the recital hall in the music building with student musicians from across the program.
The evening featured performances by the Repertory Jazz Ensemble, EWU Collegians Vocal Jazz, EWU Jazz Nonet, and the Concert Jazz Orchestra, offering a wide range of styles, arrangements, and improvisational moments.
Dr. Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah, director of choral activities and undergraduate music education, said the concert highlights the variety that defines Eastern’s music program.
“Eastern has always had such a wonderfully diverse program,” Ploeger-Hekmatpanah said.
“Our students get the chance to explore sounds that don’t occur in their regular band, orchestra, or choir classes, and they get to improvise, which is the heart of jazz. When you’re looking at all of these students expressing themselves in a genre that’s constantly changing, and the only truly American art form, it’s beautiful.”
The ensembles opened the night with pieces that emphasized strong rhythmic sections and standout brass features. Smaller groups, including the EWU Jazz Nonet and Repertory Jazz Ensemble, shifted toward more intimate improvisation. Student soloists on instruments such as tenor saxophone, bass, and trumpet drew consistent applause throughout the evening.
Ploeger-Hekmatpanah said the collaboration among different musical paths is a key strength of the department.
“We have students doing music technology, students preparing for performance careers, and students who are going to teach, and they’re all contributing to keeping this art form vibrant,” she said. “It takes a lot of faculty cooperation to support them, and it’s very cool to see that come together.”
The EWU Collegians Vocal Jazz Ensemble also performed during Jazz Night, singing with the band for the first time this quarter. Junior music education and vocal performance major Claire Duggan said performing with the department’s jazz groups brought new energy to the ensemble.
“Honestly, it’s a thrill every time we get up and perform,” Duggan said. “We really work together as a big group, and tonight was exciting and fun for all of us.”
Junior Stephen Croskrey, a music technology major in his fourth year, said the performance also served as an introduction to the ensemble’s newest members.
“This is our first performance for this group this year,” Croskrey said. “We’re learning how our freshmen and new people perform, which is a really great experience.”
Both vocalists pointed to the final piece of the night as their proudest moment. The ensemble rehearsed with the band only briefly before the concert.
“Our last song came together so well,” Duggan said. “It was our first time singing it with the band, and getting all the pieces to fit felt over the moon.”
Croskrey said the ensemble’s dynamic control also stood out.
“We backed off when we needed to and didn’t force it,” he said. “That contrast made the piece strong.”
When asked about the most challenging part of the night, Croskrey said the limited rehearsal time with the band pushed the group.
“We rehearsed with them only about 30 minutes before the show,” he said. “Finding that balance was definitely a challenge, but it worked.”
Duggan said the ensemble is still learning how to blend with new members.
“Singing with new people and finding our ensemble blend is really important,” she said. “It’s hard but rewarding in the end, and because we have two more concerts this week, this was like our trial run. It went really well.”
Ploeger-Hekmatpanah said she hopes the audience found relief and enjoyment during the performance.
“I hope they got to tap their toes and have a moment where they didn’t have to think about finals coming up,” she said. “A moment to relax, breathe, and enjoy.”
