Administration

Communications

C-CS senior chosen to be part of All Collegiate Jazz Ensemble
Monday, January 04, 2010

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College senior, Drew Thompson, biological chemistry/pre-medical major from San Antonio, Texas, is one of five trumpet players to be chosen to participate in the 21-member ensemble during this year’s Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference at the end of January.

Every four years in Missouri, the MMEA holds auditions for college students to perform as a part of the All Collegiate Jazz Ensemble. In previous years, the ensemble membership was an even distribution of members from all of the college and university programs in Missouri, based on the recommendation of college and university Jazz directors. This year, all interested musicians had to prepare an audition recording, and students were chosen to be part of the ensemble based on their audition tapes.

“I decided to audition because I didn't think I had anything to lose and I thought it would help me look at where I am in my jazz studies compared to other college students in Missouri,” said Thompson.

The students chosen to play in the ensemble will gather at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach where they will rehearse for three days and then present a concert for the state’s music educators on the evening of Friday, January 29.

“It is quite an honor to be selected for this ensemble, and we are all very proud of Drew's accomplishment. I am proud of his hard work, and know that he will represent our program and our school very well,” said Tom Polett, associate professor of music and chairperson of the C-SC Fine Arts Division.

“I am most excited about playing music alongside other selected students and furthering my performance experience,” said Thompson. “I am also looking forward to working with Dr. Ron Carter, who will be directing the band. I've worked with him before, and he is really passionate about jazz music.”