February 22, 2016

February 22, 2016 — “Playing in the music ensembles has probably been the most influential aspect of my time here at Drexel,” says Electrical Engineering senior Carson Elias, who plays trumpet in the Jazz Orchestra, Jazztet, and Fusion, Pep and Concert Bands. He’ll join the Concert Band on stage on March 14 at 7:00pm for their presentation of Brian Balmages’ Reverberations (Main Auditorium, 31^st & Chestnut Streets). Like all of the Performing Arts ensembles, Concert Band is composed of students like Carson from across Drexel’s Colleges and Schools who are brought together from diverse disciplines in their passion for music. “With this structure, there is more opportunity within each ensemble to play different parts and arrangements without worrying about who the instrument chair in front of or behind you is–everyone who plays in the ensembles here plays because they love music, and I’ve thrived off of that mentality,” Carson says.

As a recipient of a Performing Arts scholarship, Carson says that he has been able to develop his skills as a musician while focusing on his engineering studies. Through his membership in multiple ensembles he’s been able to develop his craft, and has performed everything from the contemporary to jazz classics, unique fusion alterations, and rock and pop standards in the Pep band, which supports Drexel’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The March 14 Concert Band performance is free to the public and will feature guest Conductor Dr. Dominic Pisano, Director of Bands at Concord High School in Delaware.

Brian Balmages is an award-winning composer whose works have been performed worldwide. Reverberations is an explosive, short concert fanfare that explores various sounds as they echo throughout the ensemble. For more information about upcoming ensemble performances, click here, or contact performingarts@drexel.edu.