The Harriman-Series has a variety of acclaimed performances scheduled for the spring 2022 season. In the months of February and March, there are three scheduled performances, two of which are being held at the college in Gano Hall, making it even easier for students and those in the William Jewell community to attend. 

Martin James Bartlett will be performing in Gano Hall on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Bartlett is an acclaimed pianist from England whose growing fame has been achieved at the young age of 24. He won many prestigious awards in England as well as won the 2019 Harriman-Jewell Series Prize. As one of the Free Discovery Concerts in the Series, tickets are free to everyone who wishes to attend.

The Brandon Goldberg Trio is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 12 at White Theater in Overland Park, KS. Goldberg began playing the piano at a young age and became a respected jazz performer at only 15 years old. The Trio also includes Ben Wolfe playing the bass and Donald Edwards playing the drums.

Empire Wild is another trio scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. on March 26 at Jewell in Gano Hall as one of the Free Discovery Concerts. Empire Wild uses their artistic ability to combine genres of pop, folk, Broadway, jazz and more into their performances with the use of the cello, guitar, piano, voice, and other percussion. Their unique style puts a fun contemporary spin on familiar classics.

Free tickets available for William Jewell students can be reserved by visiting the Harriman-Jewell Series office located in Marston 220 anytime from Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Harriman-Jewell Series website or calling the office at 816-415-5025.

The concert was free and open to anyone to attend. Some attendees sat and listened to the concert while others stopped and listened as they were walking through the Union.

The jazz band is led by Dr. Chris White, Jewell’s low brass instructor. Students may join the jazz band through invitation or audition.

Caitlin Overmeyer, sophomore Oxbridge: Molecular Biology major, is a saxophone player in the jazz band and performed in the concert.

“The jazz band concert went really well, and I’m really proud of all the hard work we put in for this concert,” Overmeyer said. “It’s something really fun for me to do even though I’m not a music major, and I enjoy being able to play music in a more cool and casual setting.”

Chris Seward, junior biochemistry major, plays drums in the jazz band and spoke about practicing for the concert.

“It’s always rewarding to showcase all your hard work into a concert for people to enjoy. We’ve been practicing twice a week for a few weeks,” Seward said.

For Seward, seeing the reactions of audience members makes playing music rewarding.

“What I enjoy most is getting to see other people enjoy the music,” Seward said. “When you can get people moving from something as small as tapping their toe, to dancing, it’s a special feeling.”

Photo courtesy of Harper Vincent

Providing a lively display of musical dexterity and skillful cooperation, Brandolino and Permenter performed a selection of classical pieces interspersed with teaching moments and witty banter – like explaining after a particularly complicated piece that Mozart was only 22 when he composed it, and Permenter responding, “I thought your head would have been enough,” when Brandolino requested more lighting for music.

The two played incredibly well together, each performing in such a way as to not only exemplify their own skill but also to showcase the other’s.  Together their genuine presence and clear proficiency with their respective instruments kept the full house at the theatre enthralled, culminating in a beautiful arrangement of “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” for their final piece.  

The duo received a standing ovation from the gathered audience and left the stage smiling. Bravo!

Cover photo courtesy of William Jewell College Department of Music.