Students, family and community members talked in their seats and tables as more people lined up outside of The Thought Lot on Monday night. At a minute or two past 7 p.m., jazz band conductor Trever Famulare was ready to begin.
Everyone’s chatter died down and with a quiet “one, two, three” from Famulare, the Shippensburg University Jazz Band began to play. Famulare later explained the song had no title and was simply improvisation from the players, with soloists so into it they were told they had to wrap up.
The band played a variety of hits in the first of two sets, including “Jumpin’ East of Java,” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra with vocals by senior Curtis Rabe, and “Move,” by Miles Davis, featuring Famulare on trumpet and senior student Nic Ecker conducting.
Before breaking into “Move,” Famulare expressed how impressed he was every year with the group of musicians, as Shippensburg University does not have a music major.
All students involved in any music group on campus are involved simply for their love of music.
The last song of the first set was a more laid-back piece with vocals by sophomore Mackenzie Brouse.
Before taking a 15-minute break, Famulare brought up community member Bill Dean, who has been serving the band for more than 30 years. Dean turned 83 years old over the weekend, and the crowd joined Famulare in singing “Happy Birthday” to him at The Thought Lot.
The second set included hits like “Along Came Betty,” which featured an instrumental battle between trombonist Joe Naughton and saxophonist Otto Wallenmeyer, and then “You Make Me Feel So Young,” with vocals by Rabe and Brouse.
Famulare thanked the crowd and The Thought Lotas the graduating seniors finished their last performance with the SU Jazz Band.
The crowd erupted in applause as friends and family rushed to the stage to congratulate the band on an amazing performance. Famulare took a seat, smiling — another performance after 15 years in the books.
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