UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Music will present "Dimensions in Jazz," a concert featuring three big bands, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, in the Playhouse Theatre. Featured ensembles are Outer Dimensions, Inner Dimensions, and Centre Dimensions, the premier big band. Repertoire will include charts by jazz greats Duke Ellington and Buddy Rich, and from "My Funny Valentine," as arranged by Stan Kenton. Admission is free.
Penn State's director of jazz studies, Marko Marcinko, directs Centre Dimensions. Inner Dimensions is led by faculty member Eric Bush.
Centre Dimensions, the premier 20-piece jazz ensemble at Penn State, performs frequently on campus and tours throughout Pennsylvania and the East. In addition, Centre Dimensions performs and works with several internationally known artists each year. Previous guests have included Phil Woods (sax), Cyrus Chesnut (piano), Bob Mintzer (sax), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), George Rabbai (trumpet, vocals), Dennis Diblasio (bari. sax), Lynn Seaton (bass) and Slide Hampton (trombone). They perform a challenging repertoire of modern and classic jazz, as well as originals written by the director. This highly selective ensemble is open by audition to undergraduate and graduate students in all majors.
Inner Dimensions, the second jazz big band at Penn State, performs five major concerts per year on campus, and occasionally performs off-campus. This ensemble is comprised mostly of undergraduate music majors and performs a wide repertoire, ranging from jazz standards to more cutting-edge compositions. A high premium is placed on developing improvisation skills and refining a great big band sound. Membership is by audition only, and is open to all students of all majors.
Outer Dimensions, the third jazz big band, performs approximately five major concerts per year on campus. This ensemble is comprised mostly of undergraduate non-majors and performs mostly standard jazz repertoire. While experience varies, students in this ensemble are given the opportunity to develop their improvisation skills and enhance their understanding of the jazz genre. Membership is by audition only, and is open to all students of all majors.