"December Jazz"

The Old Dominion University Libraries presented its 6th annual student concert, “December Jazz,” featuring the ODU Jazz Choir and Jazz Combo under the direction of John Toomey, on Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 12:30-1:15pm in the Diehn Composers Room.

The series was created by the Library to provide students with the opportunity to perform for the University community and to celebrate 20th century composition.

The Jazz Choir performed songs such as Exactly Like You, Just Squeeze Me, Embraceable You, So Danco Samba, Silent Night, and a Christmas Medley. Works were also performed by the Jazz Combo.

A well-known keyboardist and leader of the John Toomey Trio, Toomey is associate professor of jazz studies and music technology at ODU and the recipient of a 2000 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award. Prior to joining Old Dominion, he was keyboardist and music director for jazz legend Maynard Ferguson, with whom he recorded several compact discs. Toomey has traveled the globe to perform at such venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Berlin Jazz Festival.

The student performers were Andrew Bohnert, Christopher Burnette, Elizabeth Duncan, Rebecca Garber, Brent Hartigan, Dale Paul Lazar, Rachel Mackey, Jessica Metcalf, Robyn Nadolny, Ryan Smith, Kelly Soprano, John Kidd, and Steve Lazar. John Toomey provided the piano accompaniment for the works presented and Professor David Walker provided the percussion accompaniment. There were 62 audience members in attendance for the concert. ODU Faculty present included Chandra de Silva, Dean of Arts and Letters, Dr. Nancy Klein, Dr. Alfred Townsend, Lee Teply, and Dennis Zeisler.

Ann Pettingill, Associate University Librarian, welcomed the audience members to the event. Elizabeth Hogue, Instruction and Music Collections Librarian, introduced the Diehn Composers Room Team and the current exhibit. Programs were also designed, printed and distributed to the audience.

At the end of the performance, Elizabeth Hogue presented a Certificate of Appreciation to all student performers and John Toomey in recognition of their participation. A reception of cookies, hot chocolate, and punch allowed audience members to linger and speak to student performers following the concert. This year the Team secured the services of a student of Steve Latham, the Music Department’s recording engineer, to record the event for us.

The event was very successful for a sixth year in a row. It is another tribute to the hard work of the DCR Team and the collaboration of John Toomey, the student performers, Steve Latham, and the Music Department.