Music Fills the Air at April Concerts

Westmont student musicians and composers present a multitude of concerts this month, all of which are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the music department at (805) 565-6040.

The Composer’s Concert, premiering several original compositions and pieces by Westmont students, is Friday, April 13, at 7 p.m. in Deane Chapel. The concert will feature the work of student composers Jay Real ’18, Alex Dill ’19, John Butler ’20, Sarah Hooker ’20, Miho Kim ’20, Paul Wuest ’20, Matthew Metz ’21 and Jared Clarke ’21, and performances by Westmont faculty and students. Steve Butler, Westmont professor of music, instructs and coaches all the students.

The Vocal Chamber Concert, including performances by the Westmont Chamber Singers under the direction of Music Professor Grey Brothers, is Sunday, April 15, at 7 p.m at Trinity Episcopal Church. The concert includes performances by two chamber ensembles formed by members of Westmont’s Choral Union under the direction of instructor Nichole Dechaine and professor Steven Hodson.  The Westmont Chamber Singers will sing sacred and secular music from the 16^th-21^st centuries by Orlando di Lasso, Giles Farnaby, Andrew Carter and Bob Chilcott.

The Jazz Concert, highlighting styles ranging from bebop, swing, ballades, rock, and Latin, is Wednesday, April 18, at 7 p.m. in Deane Chapel. The concert will feature students Chris Fedderson ’19 and Nick Jensen ’21 on saxophone, Erik Fauss ’18 on violin, John Butler ’20 and Jason Watts ’19 on drums, and Jay Real ’18 and Chelsie Sen ’18 on piano. Instructor John Douglas coaches all the students.

The Spring Choral Concert, which combines the College Choir, Chamber Singers and Choral Union, is Friday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Each of the choirs will present a cross section of choral repertoire from Fernando Ortega, Alice Parker, Robert Powell, Lloyd Larsen and many more.

Westmont’s Chamber Music Concert will take place on Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m. in Deane Chapel and will feature Westmont’s top music students performing works by Vivaldi, Schubert, Shostakovich, Piazzolla and Debussy. Professor Han Kim and Angela Miller coach these chamber groups.

The Music Department is also holding two other events, both on Sunday, April 22. A Piano Masterclass with Mary Vanhoozer takes place at 12:30 p.m. in Deane Chapel, and the String Chamber Concert will be held at 3 p.m. also in Deane Chapel.