Featuring Grammy-Award-Winning Jazz Composer Maria Schneider
November 3, Bethlehem, PA The Moravian College Music Department in partnership with the Pennsylvania Jazz Collective presents the 5th Annual Jazz Series at Moravian College, Wednesday through Friday, November 16-18, 2016. The series, which focuses on the big band or jazz orchestra, culminates in a concert featuring the Moravian College Big Band and the PAJAZZ Big Band, on Friday at 7:30 pm in Moravian Colleges Foy Hall.
Guest artist Maria Schneider, renowned composer, arranger, and conductor, will conduct both the Moravian College Big Band and the PA Jazz Collective Big Band, comprised of the finest jazz musicians in the region. In addition, Moravian College Music Department Chair Neil Wetzel will form a selective all-star big band that will perform Schneiders compositions.
Nominated for 12 Grammys in multiple categories, Schneider has won 5, including two 2016 awards: Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocal for the single Sue (Or in a Season of Crime), recorded by the Maria Schneider Orchestra and David Bowie, and Best Large Ensemble Album for The Thompson Fields. Her work reaches across jazz and classical and has been described by critics as evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and beyond categorization.
Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for seniors and students. To purchase tickets and for more information go to music@moravian.edu or or call 610-861-1650.
Prior to the big band concert, on Thursday, November 17, a full slate of free clinics, workshops, and open rehearsals will be held at Moravian Colleges music facilities. PA Jazz Collective artists and Moravian jazz faculty will lead instrument-specific clinics, and Schneider will conduct an open rehearsal in Foy Hall with student and professional groups.
Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., members of the PA Jazz Collective will be featured in a Trumpet Extravaganza at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The event is free and open to the public.
Moravian College encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Anyone who anticipates needing any type of accommodation or who has questions about the physical access provided should contact the Moravian College Music Department at 610-861-1650at least one week prior to visiting.
This years jazz series is made possible by sponsorships and grants from the Pennsylvania Arts Council, the Moravian College Music Department,Moravian College Arts and Lectures, Nazareth Music Center, Hotel Bethlehem, Beall Fowler, Abes, and Minisi Ridge Records.