A jazzy start to the weekend

Things were swinging at The Hub on Oct. 4, as students from the Jazz Performance Credit program at Mount Royal took to the stage to fill the afternoon with their sultry sounds. The performance was a part of the aptly-named Friday Afternoon Jazz, which runs every Friday from 4 – 6 p.m. as a part of The Hub’s weekly programming schedule.

Friday Afternoon Jazz is just one of the opportunities available for the students of the Musical Performance Diploma to gain valuable performance experience, featuring several combinations of students playing through multiple sets.

The Jazz Performance credit program is one of two tracks offered through the Music Performance Diploma, the other being Classical Performance. According to Mount Royal’s website, the diploma, though currently “suspended” as a result of the budget cuts, seeks to provide its students with “rigorous performance training” that is “set in a creative environment that nurtures ambition and talent”.

If the performance that was the latest Friday Afternoon Jazz was any indication, Mount Royal is losing out big time with the suspension of this program.

The smooth, warm sounds of the ensembles gave a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to the packed Hub. Energy was high throughout the two-hour performance, with each different combo of students that took to the stage continuing to keep it there. This positive vibe made The Hub the perfect place for students to unwind and enjoy some drinks with friends, finish that last bit of homework before the weekend or to just have a good time on campus.

Numbers dwindled, however, near the end of the two-hour performance, something that can only be expected as a Friday afternoon turns to night. That did not seem to faze the musicians though, who remained comfortable and confident on the stage, and there was still a decent sized crowd of appreciative jazz lovers left at the end of the final set.

Arguably, Friday Afternoon Jazz – and the Music Performance diplomas altogether – is an underappreciated part of what makes Mount Royal a school that students want to attend. It not only provides an opportunity for the musicians to gain valuable professional experience, but also a chance for students to support their peers.

Friday Afternoon Jazz is currently scheduled to run until the first Friday in December — and since the Performance Credit programs will no longer be around next year, it is well worth checking out before it’s too late.