Wharton County Junior College trombone player Angel Ramos of Orchard uses a toilet bowl plunger as a mute for his instrument during rehearsals for the upcoming concert, "New Orleans Jazz 2nd Line." The concert will take place at 7 p.m. March 5 at the Horton Foote Theatre in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton Campus. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
WHARTON, TEXAS – The Wharton County Junior College Band’s upcoming concert will feature a style of music known for its melancholy nature.
The “New Orleans Jazz 2nd Line” concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 5 at the Horton Foote Theatre in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton Campus. The public is invited to the performance and admission is free.
The concert covers tunes most frequently heard at New Orleans funerals.
“This style of music is most commonly associated with a funeral procession and conveys the sorrow of death as well as the jubilation of the freed spirit,” said WCJC Band Director Joe Waldrop. “I think the music conveys the thought that even though life is difficult, you have to let loose sometimes and just enjoy the moment.”
Songs include “Mud Bug Strut,” “That’s It,” “Second Line” and “Canal Street Commotion.” Waldrop said he wanted to present the more serious side of what many refer to as “Dixieland” music.
“Most people think of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ but I wanted to show a different style of Dixieland music,” he said.
The concert will provide students with plenty of solo opportunities.
“There is a lot of solo work which calls for a lot of ad-libbing, and at times we will have different sections playing something completely different than the other sections,” Waldrop noted.
The WCJC band will also be joined by guest trumpeter Rolando Cantu, Sealy High School’s Band Director.
Waldrop believes the concert will be a unique, enjoyable experience for both the students and the audience.
“I think that everyone who attends this concert will leave with a feeling of joy and excitement, and not worry about their troubles for the time being,” he said.
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