EMU Jazz EnsemblePhoto by Jim Bishop
The EMU Jazz Ensemble will present a concert of sacred jazz and big band standards 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 7 in Lehman Auditorium.
The band, directed by James W. (Jim) Warner, will perform sacred selections including "Softly and Tenderly" arranged by Jeff Anderson and unique arrangements of "Doxology" and "All Creatures of Our God and King" by Aaron Weitekamp.
Big band standards will include "Indiana," arranged by Dave Barduhn, "All The Things You Are," arranged by Lennie Niehaus and "Where Or When," arranged by Gordon Goodwin.
Jennifer Cooper, instructor in voice at EMU, will be featured soloist on several selections.
Warner, who became director of the EMU Jazz ensemble in January 2005, is in his 27th year as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School. In addition to directing symphonic band, concert band, marching band and jazz ensemble, he has developed and implemented an advanced level music theory program dealing with both traditional and jazz harmony, courses in jazz solo improvisation, new programs in music technology for beginning musicians and basic music for limited English proficiency (LEP) students.
Warner earned a bachelor of music education and a master of music degree in trumpet performance from West Virginia University. Following service as a military musician, he began a 34-year career as a public school band director in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia schools. He is a former member of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival orchestra.
Admission to the concert is free.