On Dec. 2, the Case Western Reserve University Department of Music and CWRU Performing Arts proudly presented “Windi & Jazzi XXIX: Music of the Stage and Screen.” In this annual concert, Symphonic Winds and both campus Jazz Ensembles performed together for the audiences. Symphonic Winds is under the direction of Ryan Scherber, and the Jazz Ensembles are led by Paul Ferguson, director of Jazz Studies and director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

This year, Windi & Jazzi took place for an hour and a half in the Tinkham Veale University Center Ballroom. The concert comprised of approximately fifteen individual pieces, but all of them were distinctive and enjoyable.

“I enjoyed all of the pieces, and I really liked the concert,” said second-year student Chenxin Bi. “I especially enjoyed the first singing piece, as the singing voice coordinated so well with the Symphonic Winds.”

Windi & Jazzi made Bi want to attend more concerts in the coming semesters.

“I also went to Windi & Jazzi last year and found it interesting. I originally attended this concert to support my friend [who was performing], but it inspired my interest in music,” she said.

Bi also indicated that she will attend Windi & Jazzi again next year for sure and is considering taking a music theory class.

The Symphonic Winds spent around four or five rehearsals preparing for the concert, according to one of the group’s percussion members. Despite this, the ensemble worked hard during that time to prepare the pieces and make sure that the audience would hear a great performance.

“The pieces we played were not very hard, so the time we had was more than enough,” said the member who wished not to be named.

Windi & Jazzi XXIX has received much positive feedback from its audience. The percussionist from Symphonic Winds mentioned that plenty of audience members came to talk to the ensemble members after the concert and praised them for their performances.

The next Windi & Jazzi will be next December. The concert will be extraordinarily special, as it will celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary.
Said Bi, “I will definitely encourage more people to attend Windi and Jazzi next year, and I am looking forward for the special event.”