Pacific Index

Pacific’s Jazz band set to perform at on-campus event, Spring Jazz Nite.

By Abby Fisher

   Looking for a fantastic musical event to attend on campus? The Pacific University Jazz Band will be performing on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in McCready Hall, located in the Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center. The concert will be conducted by Dr. Abbie Brown and will feature student musicians from the university’s jazz program.

   The event is a chance to see live music without having to leave campus, which can be a nice break from the usual routine of classes, homework, and everything else going on this time of year. The jazz band is made up of students who spend hours rehearsing together, so the performance reflects that effort, collaboration, and creativity. Since jazz often includes improvisation, no two performances are exactly the same, which makes attending in person a completely different experience than listening to music online.

   McCready Hall provides a smaller, more intimate setting compared to larger venues, which makes it easier for the audience to really connect with the performances. The Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center’s space is specifically designed for music and the arts.

   Events like this are important for campus life because they give students a chance to come together outside of academics. It’s easy to get caught up in deadlines and stress, especially as the semester gets busier, but live performances offer a way to step back and just enjoy something in the moment. Supporting student musicians also helps build a stronger sense of community, since these are your classmates and peers performing on stage.

   Jazz, in particular, has always been about collaboration and expression. As Herbie Hancock said in an interview with the Smithsonian Institution, “The spirit of jazz is the spirit of openness.” That idea shows up in performances like this, where musicians respond to each other in real time and create something unique together.

   Overall, Pacific’s University Jazz Band concert will be an easy, accessible way to experience live music on campus while also supporting fellow students.