All that jazz: Sound of 5 returns

By: Kyle Christensen
Features Editor

Sound of 5, MC’s premiere jazz vocal ensemble, has been revived to kick off its 2006-2007 season. The original notion of a quintet has been expanded to feature the talents of eight students, seniors Sarah Braun, Sharon David, Adam Drake and Darren Jackson and sophomores Rudy Dillon, Lindsay Jackson, Patrick Murphy and Lynsay Ryan.

The group specializes in jazz A Cappella compositions, essentially meaning every song is staged without the assistance of instrumental backing, even to the extent of providing its own vocal percussion.

Once supervised by Richard Griffiths, professor of music emeritus, the role of advisor has now been resumed by Sarah J. Graham, director of choral activities and vocal studies, who felt the need to bring back the program after hearing its overwhelming praise by past Monmouth graduates at a recent convention of the Illinois Music Educators Association.

“We’re starting this all out from scratch,” said Graham.

Though traditional jazz is a solid style of the choir, Graham noted various genres from a time period of the early 1970s-late 90s that will additionally be presented, with reiterated selections ranging from the works of Paul Simon to even Bon Jovi making their way into the full repertoire.

As they await the arrival of newer uniforms, those students involved will be rehearsing tirelessly for their debut performance on Saturday, Oct. 21, during Homecoming Weekend. The introductory concert will also pay tribute to the group’s illustrious history, as approximately 10 of its former alumni will be reunited to sing alongside the current members.

One alumnus in particular, Scott Stanton, is making an especially large impact, as throughout the semester Sound of 5 will be singing several pieces which he has commissioned specifically for their reemergence, including a unique arrangement of Billie Holiday’s seminal classic, “God Bless the Child.”

With successive gigs in the winter, a larger spring showcase and an appearance at workshops in Michigan State University’s Acappelooza festival, Graham is very enthusiastic about Sound of 5’s potential in the near future, stating, “While it’s not the core of the curriculum, I think it’s important for music educators to be exposed to different types of music.”