Jazz group kicks off weekly free concert series

Kwantlen’s Langley campus-based music program kicked off Music at Midweek, a free concert series, on Wednesday, Sept. 10 with jazz from The Last Train Home: The Metheny Project.
 
The free concerts have been presented every Wednesday at noon since the music program began and are open to everyone who enjoys music.
 
“We have been working to get the word out,” said Gail Suderman, Director of Voice and Choral Studies.

Suderman, who is also in charge of booking nationally renowned musicians for Music at Midweek, said that the concerts include classical, jazz, Cuban, Asian and African music.

 “I don’t think people know too much about it,” said Program Assistant Nancy Hodgson, because Kwantlen students are “separated by so many campuses.”

In the first half of the semester students and music lovers will listen to the nationally renowned musicians; in the second half, Kwantlen music students will be the ones performing.
 
Music students definitely take advantage of the range of performances that are offered in the auditorium.
 
“It’s really fun,” said 19-year-old May Miyaoka. “There’s always a lot of variety.”

Even though 10 per cent of music students’ grades depend on attending at least 10 concerts, they don’t seem to mind showing up.
 
“To observe professionals for the first half of the semester gives them a real idea of what can be achieved,” said Suderman.
 
Joel Kroytko, a first-time attendee and Kwantlen music student, said that “hearing other musicians play can help me develop my own musical ideas through the musicians’ here.”
 
Darlene Bezalel and her husband, Ben, attend the concerts as often as they can. “We get enjoyment of seeing new things,” said Bezalel. “We like the mixture of the international flavour.”
 
Terry O’Brien, a writer and music student, said “listening to music helps my writing.”
 
Mark Goodwin, another student, agrees with O’Brien’s idea of finding inspiration in the music. “I take as much in as I can and try to relate it to my music,” he said.

The soothing jazz played Wednesday by The Last Train Home: The Metheny Project, a band that pays tribute to Pat Metheny, sent waves through the auditorium. The hour-long concert got everyone clapping.

The five-piece jazz band is made of “top-notch musicians,” said Suderman. “We are really happy to have them here.”
 
“It was tight and well rehearsed,” said Kroytko. “Well performed,” he added as he picked up his guitar and exited the auditorium.
 
Adam Rohrlick, the black-brimmed-hat-wearing guitar player for The Last Train Home, said, “I remember when I was the music student, so I hope it encourages other students to pursue their dreams.”

Information on coming Music at Midweek concerts is available online (PDF).