The College of St. Scholastica Concert and Jazz Bands will stage a free spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in the Mitchell Auditorium on campus. There is no admission charge and the public is encouraged to attend. A free reception will follow in the Mitchell lobby.

Both bands are under the direction of Marrianne Connelly, assistant professor of music at St. Scholastica.

The Concert Band will perform five pieces: “Amparito Roca,” an upbeat Spanish march by Jaime Texidor; “Main Street Celebration,” drawing upon composer Steven Reineke’s memories of growing up in a small town; “German Requiem: Blessed Are They” by Johannes Brahms, performed by the band in remembrance of a band member who recently passed away; “The Jig is Up” by Minnesotan Daniel Kallman, a lively Irish ensemble showcasing the percussion section; and the driving “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance, closing the Concert Band’s section of the performance.

The second half of the concert will feature the Jazz Band playing: “Hay Burner,” a light-hearted arrangement by Sammy Nestico made mainstream by Count Basie, featuring sophomore Samantha Albrecht on alto sax; “Birdland” by Josef Zawinul, a 1970s jazz-rock fusion piece; and “God Bless The Child” by Arthur Herzog Jr. and Billie Holiday, a moody ballad featuring the trombone section and a solo from senior Erik Chipman.

The Jazz Band will end the concert with the show-stopping “Manteca” by Dizzie Gillespie. Jeremy Craycraft, percussion instructor, will be playing set, and special guest Glenn Martin, who will be contributing throughout the Jazz Band’s performance, will play conga.

For more information contact Connelly at (218) 723-6038.