To celebrate Friends and Family Weekend, the music department of SUNY Oswego hosted a concert to promote their department and the talented students who participate in it. For some groups, this event was their first concert of the year, while some have had earlier shows. The Oswego State Singers and Laker Chorale started the performance, forming one large choir. Julie Pretzat substituted the usual conductor, Ben May, who unfortunately could not attend. The group performed the title song of their first concert of the semester, “Apple Tree,” accompanied by five percussionists. After their performance, Laker Chorale departed and the State Singers remained on stage for two more pieces, which became a trend for the remainder of the show.

The group after State Singers also performed two songs led by Juan Francisco La Manna. The group consisted of percussion, strings, woodwinds and brass instruments, completing a full-sized orchestra. Their pieces were strong and imaginative, with beautiful parts that kept the audience engaged throughout the performance. After the end of the second song, attention switched to the Latin Jazz band led by Eric Schmitz. Like an orchestra, jazz pieces tend to be longer than usual performances, packed with solos, and Latin Jazz did not disappoint. With various instruments including the trumpet and trombone, multiple soloists played percussion and flute. Professor Schmitz used the time between changing performances to make witty jokes, starting the show on a good note. 

The Oswego State Laker Chorale returned to the stage afterward to sing two pieces, one of them being a  song about a cricket, and the other called “That Lonesome Road,” popularized by James Taylor. The last group to perform was the wind ensemble, led by Trevor Jorgensen. Their performance closed the event. 

Being two months into the Fall 2023 semester, this concert was hosted not just for new students of SUNY Oswego and their visiting families, but also for those loved ones who cannot frequent campus and the “Port City.” The music department at Oswego is close-knit, with many professor-taught groups and lessons. However, at the same time, there are student-run groups as well, most prominently the vocal groups Vocal Effect and Octavia. Both groups hold their events and perform alongside other groups, creating a balance between student-run and school organizations.

This concert is the first of many for the semester for all groups during many types of events. An agenda of all upcoming music performances can be seen on the Oswego music department’s website.

Photo via: SUNY Oswego