The Music Program at Eastern Connecticut State University recently concluded an exciting month of live performance with several student ensemble productions. From percussion to piano, jazz to opera, the varied performances showcased the talents of student instrumentalists and vocalists.

“A Night at the Opera” was a gala performance starring 10 students from the Opera Workshop who performed scenes and arias from three beloved operas. Held in the lobby of the Fine Arts Instructional Center on Nov. 5, the night featured scenes from “The Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “L’elisir d’amore” by Gaetano Donizetti and “Flagstaff” by Giuseppe Verdi. “A Night at the Opera” was directed by Emily Riggs with musical direction by David Ballena.   

Percussion ensembles — including Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Group and World Percussion Ensemble — performed in the Concert Hall on Nov. 21. The ensembles featured 15 student percussionists who performed nine pieces by such composers as Patrick Speranza, Brian Blum, Nathan Daughtrey, Bob Marley and more. The ensembles are directed by Jeff Calissi and Matt Bronson.

Singers from the Eastern Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers delighted the Concert Hall audience on Nov. 22 with “Halleluiah: Messiah Sing-a-long.” The concert featured many pieces of standard choral literature, including John Rutter’s “Te Deum,” and concluded with portions of G. F. Handel’s “Messiah” where audience members joined in for the choruses. Conducted by David Belles, the performance included student vocalists who sang soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Concertgoers enjoyed a night of jazz on Nov. 29 in the Concert Hall by the Jazz Ensemble and two jazz combos. The ensemble performed works by Jerome Kern, John Coltrane and Chick Corea, while the combos performed works by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove and Neil Hefti. The Jazz Ensemble is directed by Bryce Call, the “3 O’clock” Jazz Combo is directed by Rick O’Neal and the 3:30 Jazz Combo is directed by students Nick Ford, Evan Wood and Evan Gianfriddo.

The Eastern Concert Band took the Concert Hall stage on Dec. 1 with a performance featuring flute, saxophone, trumpet, cello, piano and percussion. Directed by Kell Watkins, the band performed works by Katahj Copley, Eric Whitacre, Cait Nishimura, Jim Casella and more.