Humber College’s Lakeshore campus celebrated students with its biannual Performance Week.
Each student in the Bachelor of Music and Introduction to Commerical Jazz programs displayed a semester’s worth of their work in a single performance between April 9 and 12.
Students are placed in ensembles led by faculty implementing lessons taught in class practically, said Humber alumni turned faculty member and adjudicator, Larnell Lewis.
Shalom Murray, in the Introduction to Commerical Jazz program, said her knowledge of music has grown since joining the program.
“You think you know so much about music, but you don’t know as much until you’re in music school,” Murray said.
Murray said she has been singing since the age of three, demonstrating her vocal abilities in the Salsa ensemble.
“I’m feeling good, but I’m nervous about my next performance,” Murray said.
The performance in question was the Introduction to Commerical Jazz where she played the trumpet.
Celine Tchang orchestrating and playing her original piece. Photo credit: Ciara Lalor-Lindo
Like others in the program, Murray plays other instruments, though she said she prefers singing with trumpet as her secondary instrument.
Faculty member and adjudicator Alex Dean spoke with students following the Latin Jazz ensemble regarding the importance of being a jack of all trades.
Wearing several hats is important in the Music program and workforce, Dean said.
Dean also said that eagerness to learn and take on new opportunities often prompts students to go to the next level in their music careers.
Larnell Lewis seconded that statement referencing the value of learning as you go.
“You only learn how to catch what is thrown at you,” Lewis said. “So put yourself in a position to catch.”
As a Humber College alumni, Lewis knows better than anyone how important Performance Week is to students.
“It teaches students how to arrange, in some cases compose, and level up their playing,” Lewis said.
Alongside the practicality of Performance Week, Lewis said it is also a way to gauge student’s improvement over the school year.
“These performances are full-circle events where you get to see where everyone is at,” Lewis said. “You get to see the development from class to performance week and the evolution from the first semester to now.”
Sean Bellaviti shows enthusiasm while orchestrating students in the Salsa ensemble. Photo credit: Ciara Lalor-Lindo
On the other side of the adjudicator’s table was Jacob Eisen, a fourth-year Bachelor of Music student.
Completing his final ensemble in Big Band, Eisen reflected on his four years at Humber College.
“Working on year-end performances is a lot of fun, and there’s a wide array of music that we offer here so we’re exposed to a lot,” Eisen said.
This reigns true as Performance Week ensembles displayed genres ranging from salsa to gospel choir.
Although Eisen prefers jazz music, he, like Lewis, said there is a usefulness in working with his peers and curating a showpiece.
When asked about his future, Eisen said he hopes to be judging students one day.
“I’m hoping to get my master’s next and eventually become a faculty member here,” said Eisen.
While Performance Week is a singular week composed of 20-minute ensembles, the work that goes into it is not for the faint of heart, according to Andres Mendivelso, an Introduction to Commerical Jazz student.
“There’s a certain toughness to it, but I do feel like the program is preparing me for a career in music,” Mendivelso said.
This week gives audience members a glimpse of the hard work those in the varying sectors of the Music program go through, Larnell Lewis said.
While it is hard work, students like Shalom Murray continue to express joy in performing with their peers.
“I think coming here was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Murray said.