Alexander Smith
Special to In Motion
Every semester, students, faculty and staff are invited to come listen to DSC’s various ensembles, all
of which perform musical productions for the campus and community’s enjoyment.
Ensembles are entirely student run and no admission charge is required, except for applause.
Most of the performances come mid-semester and at the end of the term and are presented in the Davidson or Gillespy theaters at the News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St. in downtown Daytona Beach. Scheduled performances already are or will be posted on Daytona State College’s website at: http://daytonastate.edu/thearts/index.html
Everyone is encouraged to show support for students who took the time and the effort to put together a program, how do ensemble students create their work?
Scott Velazco, an Assistant Professor of Audio Engineering at Daytona State College, is among those working with students to produce the ensembles, although he prefers to let the students create performance themselves.
“What I like most about ensembles is that it’s driven by the style of the participants. For the most part, the entire ensemble is run by the students and that allows them to express themselves because it is there show,” said Velazco.
Students perform two concerts a semester and they practice up to four songs for a single concert. The type of music played at the concerts is mostly contemporary, but it is up to the class to decide what they will cover and that can make for some interesting mashups. From professional accordion players to original Queen melodies, it is not all fun and games for Daytona State College ensembles, which all work hard at creating the music they love and entertaining their audiences.
“You should learn your part and learn it well, but when you show up you play with the group,” said Matthew Marseglia, one of the ensemble musicians.
Marseglia, along with many other students in the Daytona State music program, are required to take part in at least one semester of ensemble. Every student that participates brings their own style to the groups. Maybe some play unique instruments or others are familiar with an uncommon genre of music. But everyone is required to get along and perform as a cohesive unit.
Doing so is not always the easiest, but each experience is beneficial to the performers and overall there is always something to take away from the class.
“I enjoyed playing with all different kinds of people,” said Marseglia. “I got to learn songs from genres that I don’t normally play.”
This is not the only challenge that comes with the performing arts. Finding funds to produce performances, as well as teaching students who don’t play instruments, can be challenging.
“When everyone who is in our program is required to participate in ensemble, sooner or later you are going to get those who can’t play an instrument,” Velazco conceded. “But there is always something to do in ensemble and if there isn’t, we will find you something to do.”
In addition to the ensembles, the College boasts a new jazz choir, as well as the long-standing Symphonic and Community bands. Under the direction of Associate Professor and Assistant Chair of the Music Production program, James “Jake” Nicely, some experimentation with venues has been on tap for the past two semester. He’s taken the rock ensembles and had them perform outside the News-Journal Center to enthusiastic response.
Following are some of the performances upcoming at the News-Journal Center, which is under the auspices of the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art. For information, visit www.DaytonaState.edu/TheArts or call 386- 226-1927:
■ Music Production Technology Rocks! — Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. (Rain Date March 1 at 7:30) Outdoors at the News-Journal Center. The final performance from the group will be outside May 1 (Rain date May 2) at 7:30.
■ Instrumental Extravaganza — Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. Davidson Theater.
■ DSC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo — Thursday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. Davidson Theater.
■ Flute Choir — Tuesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. Grand Lobby.
■ Symphonic Band — Thursday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. Davidson Theater.
■ On Broadway with the DSC Singers and DSC Jazz Singers — Thursday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. Davidson Theater.
■ DSC Guitar Ensemble — Tuesday, May n8, 7:30 p.m. Grand Lobby.