A new jazz ensemble has swung into the rhythm of Hillsdale College: the Little Big Band.
According to saxophone instructor Jonathon Gewirtz, the band’s director, this smaller ensemble was added to the jazz program to provide jazz students with an alternative to Big Band. All but three of last year’s Big Band members returned this year, leaving Director of Jazz Studies Chris McCourry with more interested students than spaces to fill. In order to serve the needs of those extra students, McCourry and Gewirtz started the Little Big Band.
“The size of the Little Big Band is a good mix between a big band and a jazz combo,” Gewirtz said. “The difference in size creates more opportunities for improvisation from the individuals. It’s like a jazz combo, but still with the structure and arrangement of a big band.”
The new group consists of piano, bass, drums, three saxophones, two trumpets, and one trombone. According to Gewirtz, the band will perform classic big band repertoire at the orchestra concert afterglows, and he said he intends the ensemble to explore a “wide range of jazz styles and genres.”
According to McCourry, Hillsdale’s ability to sustain two jazz bands is a remarkable accomplishment, considering the size of the student body.
“This is a big benchmark that I’ve been shooting for for a very long time,” McCourry said. “Fifteen years ago, if you would have told me that we’d be at this position with the faculty and that we would have the participation of the students, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I just wonder where we’ll be 10 years from now.”
Junior Amelia Stieren, who plays bass, said the smaller time commitment required for Little Big Band has allowed her to continue her involvement with jazz. Without it, she may not have been able to fit jazz into her schedule.
“I am looking forward to growing as a bass player and working in the big band type of music,” she said. “We have a vocalist, and I’m excited to learn how to play with someone singing with us. That’s an important skill that instrumentalists need to learn.”
Though the band was initiated in part to help out students who didn’t have time for Big Band, it still serves a great musical purpose and will facilitate a lot of learning within the music building.
“Having a smaller ensemble creates more opportunities for each instrumentalist to express themselves,” Gewirtz said.
“That’s the important thing—that they’re able to play,” McCourry said. “As long as they can get in there and express themselves, I’m happy.”
“It is very exciting to see the enthusiasm for this style of music from the students,” Gewirtz said. “I’m extremely happy to be directing the band and working with some very talented students.”
McCourry added that these musicians’ talent is hard-earned.
“Everybody who comes in and works with the students comments on how smart they are and how bright they are,” McCourry said. “You don’t get to be that smart without dedication and discipline—those things are very important when you’re doing music.”
McCourry also credited the jazz faculty for the students’ musicianship.
“When you put together some really good teachers with some really good students it’s really not surprising at all,” he said.
