Tuesday, October 23, 2007

UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra almuni return to campus for Jazz scholarship fundraising concert

By Pegasus News wire

ARLINGTON–Former Director Bill Snodgrass and jazz orchestra alumni from more than three decades will return to campus for the third annual UT Arlington Jazz Alumni Big Band Jazz Scholarship Fundraising Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building, 700 Greek Row Drive. The alumni will be joined by the 2007 UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra, directed by Tim Ishii.

Snodgrass said there are about 160 former students who belong to a loosely-knit organization and keep in touch mostly by e-mail. For the last two years the musicians have had a reunion of sorts at the scholarship concert, which has raised about $7,000 for scholarships in their first two concerts. There is no charge for the musical evening but donations, large or small, are accepted.

“I suppose I am the kingpin of the organization, since I am about the only one who knows all the members who stretch out over 30 years,” Snodgrass said. “And that was just during my tour of duty. Dan Burkholder also had between 300 and 400 students play in his bands from 1947 until I arrived in 1976.”

Snodgrass, retired and living in Missouri, said the group is probably the only organization of its kind that boasts having no dues, no fees, no meetings, “no nothin' except a continued relationship with each other and UT Arlington long after they graduated.”

Billy Robertson, who owns Plasterini Guitars in Arlington and directs the guitar ensemble at UT Arlington, is one of the alumni who played under Snodgrass’ direction.

“I was on the 10-year degree plan,” said Robertson, who graduated with a bachelor of music degree in 1980 and played with the jazz orchestra for most of his college career.

There will be a reception following the concert. Call the music department at (817) 272-3471 for more information. Checks, payable to “UTA JAZZ” and marked “scholarship donation” can be mailed to Ishii at the music department, Box 19105, Arlington, 76019.

Source: UTA

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