The music department at ABAC has now had its fourth Night of Cabaret event in Edwards Hall. It gave students a chance to perform in a professional setting and raise funds for scholarships.
Held on Mar. 13 at 7 p.m., the event came with various pieces of jazz music.
It started when it was Professor Andrew Peal’s first year at ABAC as his interest was in “Providing training to musicians to help them follow their dreams of teaching and performing.” That year, which was 2022, the Music Department along with Peal talked about giving student vocalists and musicians a “real world” setting.
Department Head and Professor of Piano Jennifer Haung started her role as head during that same year. Haung said “This event gives our music students a stage presentation as a jazz singer/entertainer.”
Vocalist Stephanie Davis said “My love for music has existed for as long as I can remember, and that is part of why I chose the music program here. Not only for convenience but because the music program has always had an exceptional reputation as well.”
The Cabaret band consists of Chris Walker, Madison Crosby, Israel Merriweather, Emily Jordan, Shyanne Lanning, Michael Oppel, Luke Abel, Emily Espino Madrigal, Robbi Gill, Ben Newberry, Reagan Funk, Olivia Frankovich, and Bill Kilgore.
The Jazz Choir who also, performed that night included: Jordan Cotham, Stephanie Davis, Jha’lin Pittmon, Alicia Jenkins, Ellie McMillan, Olivia Frankovich, Dorian Dew, Josiah Zorn, Kassidy Mathis, Lendon Miller.
Kicking off the event was the ABAC Big Band, as they performed “One by One” composed by Wayne Shorter and recorded by “Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers” in 1963. Next, was the ABAC Jazz Choir plus the drum set. The song “I Love being Here with You,” was next staring our first solo performance by Jordan Cotham. It was composed by Peggy Lee and Bob Schluger in 1960. Moving forward to the next solo performance by Stephanie Davis, which was “Georgia on my Mind,” composed by Hoagy Carmichael in 1930’s and written by Stuart Gorrell.
Vocalist Jah’lin Pittman, who performed at last year’s event, said, “This time I made sure to put a lot of myself into it and just have fun most importantly.”
To be in a professional setting puts some pressure on students. That’s why practicing is very important. They started in January going through the music to prepare for the event. Huang said “Being a musician is a lifestyle, not a career choice. Practice is a part of our lives that is more important than anything else.”
Isreal Merriweather ABAC freshman and saxophone player said, “I was pretty nervous, I always get pretty bad anxiety for events like this, but it really takes me back to my passion and what I was previously driven for.”
ABAC student Reagan Funk said, “Once you get on stage all those nerves all come out at once, and ease out.”
Peal said “We are very proud of their performance on Friday. It was a blast and puts us in a very good position for our next couple of performances.”
Kaycee Powell ABAC Alumni, who attended that night, said “This is something I know ABAC has put on a couple of years now, and this is the first year we have been able to make it happen. And I’m so excited that I have, my husband and I have the very best time ever.”
Moppy Brumby said I really enjoyed it last time, I think ABAC is doing a fantastic job with their music events and I want to support everything they do.”
Some upcoming performances that the music department have include: First Tuesday Concert Series featuring The Songs of Broadway on April 7th, a Spring Band Concert April 9th. The ABAC Jazz ensemble’s upcoming performances are April 16th at ABAC, featuring Joe Gransden Quartet, April 17th in Bainbridge featuring Joe Gransden Quartet, April 23rd in Tifton, at the Tifton Arts Council Gala.
Cut : One ABAC Freshman Lendon Miller came to the mic with confidence as the song “Chicago Blues.” While there was a brief intermission, it didn’t stop the fun. After the intermission, the ABAC Jazz Choir stepped back in to sing “Come fly with Me,” written by Sammy Cahn, with the drums accompanying. Our seventh selection was from some familiar faces in the choir which were Lendon Miller, Jordan Chotham, and Jha’lin Pittman. As they song “Cuidate Company II” composed by Eddie Palmieri. Olivia Frankovich was our next solo performer singing “A Day in the Life of a Fool” by Luiz Bonfá. Coming up next was a familiar classic “At Last” written by Mack Gordon and performed by Emily Jordan. And lastly “Mack the Knife” by Jha’lin Pittmon composed by composed by Kurt Weill.