'Frequency' concert hits all the right notes

Jameson Fowler photo

Frequency performs at spring concert.

Troy University’s jazz ensemble, Frequency, held their annual spring concert. The concert consisted of five songs with each one showcasing individual talent.

This year marks fifteen years of Frequency.

“Back in the 2009-2010 school year, we needed a group to help us recruit and most colleges were using this vocal jazz genre,” said Troy University Professor Emerita of music and music education Dr. Diane Orlofsky Orlofsky, who founded the jazz band. “We needed to do that here, and we played around with the sound at first.

“There’s been a lot of good memories and a lot of good performances.”

“Frequency has been very relaxing,” said Erin Potter, a freshman choral music education major from Dothan, Alabama, and a member of Frequency. “We’re all very connected. It’s like sitting down with your siblings and singing a song.”

The concert started off with a beautiful arrangement of Imogen Heap’s “First Train Home.”

With this first song, it was easy to see how connected the members of frequency are.

Individually, each member is very talented, and every solo grabbed the audience’s attention.

However, when the ensemble sang together, their connectivity was clear as their voices blended together.

“Common Ground” by MaryAnne Smith and “Satellite” by Laila Biali were the next songs arranged. These songs were followed by “Travels” by Pat Metheny and Julia Dollison. This song is performed every year, but this year it was preceded by a heartfelt goodbye to Mr. Carlton Copeland, the director of Frequency who will be saying “farewell” at the end of this year.

“Travels” is a song that has been performed every year since the beginning of frequency.

“’Travels’ has sort of become the theme song of the group,” Orlofsky said. “Mr. Copeland was my student.

“Every time I hear it performed, it’s different, and tonight’s was just so great. I love their version.”

For the last song of the night, the group sang “Bringin’ It Back Home,” by Gary and Rosana Eckert. This energetic arrangement brought the house down with swinging chords and impressive scatting solos.

Overall, the entire concert had the audience tapping their feet, snapping their fingers, and grooving to the music.

“We’re so proud of the work that our frequency students do,” said Professor Emeritus for the John M. Long School of Music Raymond Smith. “It’s all about enjoying the music and learning something while you’re doing it.

“They had a great time, and therefore, the audience had a great time.”

For more information about Frequency, check out @tuvocaljazz on Instagram.