WKU Jazz Band performed at Van Meter Hall Saturday, selecting pieces that reflected their passions and brought an eclectic concert to life. 

WKU Jazz ensemble filled Van Meter with music chosen by the students, ranging from the classics to video game themes, which earned warm applause from the crowd. 

“This was really meaningful to them,” said Sarah Herbert, assistant professor of trumpet and jazz. “You could tell when we were rehearsing that it really meant something to them.”

The programs included a mix of familiar songs and surprising picks from Etta James’ “At Last” to arrangements inspired by the Cuphead video game. Herbert said she accepted nearly every student’s submission because everything that was chosen was genuinely excellent. 

“I hope it engaged the audience…it was a really eclectic mix, and we had a lot of fun putting it together,” Herbert said.

Students said the process gave them ownership over the music and made performances more personal. Hunter Baker, a sophomore music education major who plays baritone saxophone, said he helped choose  “Torque” by Alan Baylock.

“We never get the opportunity to choose what repertoire we play,” Baker said. “It felt more meaningful to me.”

Band members faced scheduling setbacks when snow and ice forced them to miss rehearsals, but Herbert praised the group’s ability to tighten up quickly.

“These students are really good at making the most out of their time,” Herbert said.

Challenges also came from the variety of materials. Because selections reflected individual tastes, some charts demanded sight-reading, seeing the music for the first time while playing, and quick adaptation. Baker said the mix sometimes challenged them in ways that they weren’t expecting, but it also pushed the band to grow.

During the concert, some songs had camaraderies and standout solos from the performers.  

“Getting to hear my friends get featured was really, really cool,” Baker said.

Herbert said the concert served another purpose: widening listeners’ ideas about jazz.

“I hope people realize how much variety and scope jazz has,” Herbert said.“There are many different facets, and maybe everyone can find a style they enjoy.”

The WKU Jazz program plans a large jazz honor band event in April that will bring more than 100 high school students to campus for clinics and performances led by guest artists. The student-choice concert, Herbert said, is likely to influence future programming and keep student voices central to the ensemble’s direction.