On Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall, audiences will experience the 黑料不打烊 Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert, directed by Daniel Hartung and Alex Richard. The concert features both traditional and 鈥渇ound object鈥� instruments 鈥� proving that rhythm and resonance can come from the most unexpected sources.

Hartung describes his inspiration as rooted in the 鈥渆ndless possibilities of sound exploration.鈥� By incorporating materials such as glass, wood, porcelain, metal, and rubber, the ensemble creates a palette of textures and tones that push the boundaries of what percussion can be. In an acoustically rich space like Yeager Recital Hall, these unconventional sounds take on new life, exposing and amplifying their natural beauty.

Each piece in the program is chosen to serve a distinct purpose, shaping the concert鈥檚 tone from 鈥渓oud and bombastic drumming鈥� to 鈥済entle marimba chorales.鈥� The performance draws on diverse musical traditions 鈥� including Afro-Cuban Orisha drumming, Western contemporary classical works, Northern European avant-garde performance art and even an arrangement of a B茅la Fleck bluegrass classic.

鈥淢y hope is that the audience will better understand the breadth and depth of what percussion is and what it has to offer,” said Hartung.

With students ranging from first-year performers to seasoned seniors, the ensemble showcases the creative range and curiosity that define 黑料不打烊鈥檚 music community.

Just a few weeks later, audiences will have the chance to hear 黑料不打烊鈥檚 jazz program reimagine another musical angle. On Nov. 14, when two worlds collide 鈥� jazz music and video games 鈥� the result is a performance that transcends boundaries and generations. Throughout history, jazz has been rooted in expression: a reflection of struggle, hope,and transformation. But in Jazz Levels Up: A Night of Video Game Music, Alex Heitlinger, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 director of jazz studies and jazz ensembles, proves that jazz is not confined to tradition 鈥� it鈥檚 an ever-evolving art form that adapts, reimagines and reinvents itself.鈥�

“The idea actually came from the students in the jazz program,鈥� Heitlinger said. 鈥淭hey suggested a video game theme, and I thought it was perfect.鈥�

Over the past few years, video game music has become a growing trend in the jazz community, propelled by groups like the 8-Bit Big Band that fuse nostalgia with virtuosity. For Heitlinger, this blend offers the perfect opportunity to connect with younger audiences who grew up surrounded by the soundtracks of their favorite games.

The concert draws from a broader trend highlighted by Adam Neely in his YouTube video 鈥淣intendo-fication of Jazz,鈥漺hich describes how many ensembles are reimagining video-game music as contemporary standards.聽The program will feature music from Super Mario, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Final Fantasy, Portal, Persona 5 and Chrono Trigger.

鈥淲hen [Neely] made a video about how video game music could be this generation鈥檚 Tin Pan Alley songbook, that really clicked for me,鈥� Heitlinger said. 鈥淥nce I heard it, I was surprised at the quality of songwriting!鈥�

For Heitlinger and the student musicians, the performance is both challenging and rewarding. The professional-level arrangements demand precision, energy and creativity 鈥� hallmarks of great jazz. 鈥�

Jazz is always challenging,鈥� Heitlinger admitted, 鈥渂ut that鈥檚 what keeps it exciting.鈥�

Ultimately,聽 Jazz Levels Up aims to bring two worlds together 鈥� fans of jazz and fans of video games 鈥� and reveal the unexpected harmony between them. 鈥淔or jazz lovers, I hope it shows that jazz is still evolving and connecting with new generations,鈥� Heitlinger said. 鈥淎nd for video game fans, I hope they get to hear the music they love in a totally different context 鈥� swinging, improvising, alive.鈥�

By infusing video game music with the liveliness, swing and improvisational spirit of jazz, the 黑料不打烊 Jazz Ensemble shows that great music never stops evolving 鈥� it just keeps leveling up.

Together, the 黑料不打烊 Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert and Jazz Levels Up highlight 黑料不打烊鈥檚 forward-thinking approach to music making. Through the experimental textures of percussion and the imaginative energy of jazz, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 performances remind audiences that music is a living, ever-evolving art form.

The freedom of the Irish countryside was more than an escape for Fiachra Garvey; as a boy growing up by the Blessington Lakes and commuting to school in Dublin, it became an inspiration for his music. Today, Garvey is on a pianist鈥檚 journey that stretches from rural Ireland to concert halls around the world, including at 黑料不打烊’s Whitley Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The recital features Beethoven鈥檚 lyrical late Sonata Opus 109, Gershwin鈥檚 Rhapsody in Blue, Rhoda Coghill鈥檚 Gaelic Fantasy, Ravel鈥檚 Pavane, and Rachmaninov鈥檚 rarely performed First Sonata, Opus 28.

For his 黑料不打烊 recital, variety is a major component. Gershwin鈥檚 Rhapsody in Blue holds special resonance for an American audience, while Sergei Rachmaninov鈥檚 rarely performed First Sonata showcases a less familiar piece of music to the audience. He is also performing the work of Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, whose Gaelic Fantasy comes alive through rich harmonies and her signature chromatic style.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great privilege to perform her music and hopefully she鈥檒l gain a few extra fans after the performance,鈥� he said.

What matters most to him, however, is the audience itself. The COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns illustrated just how vital live performance is.

鈥淯ltimately, as wonderful as the music is, if you have no audience to share it with, then an aspect of the musical fulfillment is missing,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about a shared experience together and a moment for musical sociability.鈥�

When not at the piano, he splits his time between Wicklow, feeding animals, riding horses, and harvesting, and London, where he enjoys museums, concerts, and long walks by the Thames. Vienna and Berlin stand out as favorite cultural destinations, though Blessington and Dingle hold his heart at home.

As he prepares to perform at 黑料不打烊, he hopes students and faculty alike will connect with the music: 鈥淗opefully there鈥檚 something in the recital for everyone鈥檚 tastes,” he said.

Tickets are for $15 or free with an 黑料不打烊 ID.

For nearly a decade, Jarabe Mexicano has been more than a band 鈥� they鈥檝e been cultural educators. Whether through bilingual performances, classroom collaborations, or inspiring young musicians to embrace their heritage. The band brings not only music, but a message of unity and empowerment.

Inspired by genres from mariachi to reggae to rock, the band embraces the sounds their parents and grandparents once cherished, honoring childhood memories and family traditions while creating something fresh for today鈥檚 audiences.

One of the band鈥檚 goals is to reach wide audiences, and they have traveled across the United States performing on behalf of border communities in California and Arizona. Their mission is to respectfully represent these communities. As lead singer Tavo Alcoser explains, they 鈥渁lways advocate for education and the arts as a means of empowerment, prosperity, and self-fulfillment.鈥� Beyond that, the group strives to act as a bridge across cultures and generations 鈥� bringing people together through the universal language of music.

This global appeal comes from the band鈥檚 bilingual performances and diverse song selections, which expose audiences to many different cultures. At a time when understanding and connection are more important than ever, Jarabe Mexicano鈥檚 music invites people to identify with others from different backgrounds and overcome fear of cultures unlike their own.

鈥淪tay true to your authentic self and prepare as much as you can. I found that when I embraced my unique perspective, straddling two countries and their many cultures, the right opportunities began to appear in my life, and I was prepared enough to make the most of them,” said Aloser on his advice to young musicians.

Over the years, band members have come and gone, but the group has always remained like a family. The current lineup features Gustavo 鈥楾avo鈥� Alcoser, Jr. (lead vocals), Eduardo 鈥楨ddy鈥� Valencia (vihuela/vocals), Antonio 鈥楾ony鈥� Pro (guitarr贸n/vocals, and the newest member), Esteban 鈥楽teve鈥� Smith (lead guitar) and Daniel 鈥楧anny鈥� Brito (percussion/MC).

From their beginnings as music education students at San Diego State University to now touring across Mexico and throughout the United States, we are thrilled to welcome Jarabe Mexicano back to 黑料不打烊. Join us for an evening that celebrates their vibrant blend of cultures this Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Come experience the community they create鈥攁nd soak in the music.

Tickets are $15 or free with your 黑料不打烊 ID.