Western Courier

Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: The Edge

Media Credit: Greg Rolf Karla Kampen fully embraces her performance.

Media Credit: Greg Rolf Tony Pape performs his solo.

Western Illinois University students in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble displayed their unique talents at the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall last Thursday.

In the program were renditions of "What a Wonderful World," "If I Only Had a Brain" and "Aquarius," among other songs, as 11 singers took to the stage. Out of those 11, Kiwi Herron, Karla Kampen, Denver Murphy, Tony Pape, Michael Perkins, Sarah Walker and Will Barnhart performed soloist pieces.

"Overall, I thought it was pretty good," said freshman sociology major Steve Wright. "My two favorite parts were 'Feelin' Good' and Karla Kampen's singing. I thought (her voice) was one of the most incredible things I've heard in a long time."

According to Vocal Jazz Coordinator Annie Neavill, a first-year grad student with a bachelor's in music education, this ensemble was student-led and has been for several years. Those involved chose the music, arranged it, compiled a performance on their own and practiced all semester.

"I've had a great group to work with. They've all been very helpful," Neavill said. "Each person in the ensemble put together their own piece. So, it wasn't me teaching all of the pieces to them or tweaking everything. It was very good. It was very unique."

After picking the songs they wanted to perform, students in the ensemble had to direct them individually, teaching the selections to their peers.

"It was a fantastic experience," said Samuel Essling, freshman music performance and musical theatre major. "It helped you understand the music a lot more and figure out how to learn other music as well because you had to figure out how to teach it."

For Essling, this performance was both very new and a challenging feat. He recalled that the idea of joining the ensemble was first pitched to him by others involved.

"They said it was something that would be different, something I would get more experience with," he said. "I really got to know a lot of other people in the show, too. Not only did I learn the music, but we all had a lot of fun doing it. Overall, I just think it was a fantastic experience. I definitely suggest coming to listen or getting involved with it."

"I think it went nicely, and it came together pretty well," Neavill said. "It's a great learning experience for everyone."

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