Purdue News

March 3, 2004

Stagedoor Spectacular features bands, singers and dancers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Bands brings two shows to the Long Center this weekend, with Stagedoor Spectacular Friday (3/5) and Purdue’s jazz combos Saturday (3/6).

Stagedoor Spectacular is an evening of classic pop tunes played by the American Music Review and the Boiler Brass men's basketball band for an old-fashioned musical variety show and tunes such as "It’s Only a Paper Moon," "Call Me Irresponsible," "It Had to be You," "April in Paris" and "This Could Be the Start of Something Big."

Both shows start at 8 p.m. at the Long Center, located at 111 N. Sixth St. Admission to both is free.

Bill Kisinger, who directs both bands, gets the chance to step into the solo spotlight at the concert with a euphonium solo on Antonio Carlos Jobim’s "Wave," a Brazilian tune Kisinger calls "my all-time favorite bosa nova."

With "Wave," Kisinger is paying tribute to Frank Mantooth, one of two arrangers who recently passed away. Kisinger salutes the other arranger, Billy May, with a performance of Sammy Nestico’s "Billy May for President."

Student arranger Matt Janszen, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, makes his arranging debut at the concert with Boiler Brass and "Come Out and Play," a rock tune originally performed by The Offspring. An engineering major, Janszen wants to try his hand at a non-engineering career after graduation, one that includes composing movie music.

"Arranging music offers me a chance to learn about the individual instruments within an ensemble and how to use their tonal colors effectively," Janszen says. "Each arrangement I write presents new challenges that stretch my creativity. The arranging process is something that can only be learned through experience.

"That is why I am so grateful for the opportunity Professor Kisinger has offered me. My goal with every arrangement is to explore as many styles of music as possible. This exploration will ultimately help in my future goal of becoming a film composer."

For Boiler Brass fans, the concert offers a chance to really listen to the band without the hoopla of a Mackey Arena home game. The band will open its portion of the show with "Tuba Hail" play tunes that range from Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" to Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" and Dave Brubeck's "Rondo a la Turk."

The Goldusters dance squad will perform a dance routine to "Tell Her About It" with Boiler Brass. Purdue’s solo twirlers will be featured in "Cantina Band" and "Puttin’ On The Ritz."

Three of Purdue’s jazz combos will play on the same stage Saturday in a rare public performance for the combos that usually are only heard at private campus and community functions.

Two of the three combos will play original tunes with Richton Park, Ill. sophomore Alex Fenske and Fort Wayne senior Ryan Hicks contributing original contemporary jazz arrangements. Pieces by Miles Davis and John Coltrane, along with an array of jazz standards, are also on tap at the free event.

For more information on both concerts, call (765) 496-6785. American Music Review will perform again Saturday, April 17 at the Long Center. The next jazz concert is the Super Jazz Jam on March 27 in Loeb Playhouse in Stewart Center on the Purdue campus.