According to the dictionary, a montage is a piece of work produced by combining smaller parts, or the art or process of making such a work.

That is exactly what the Music department did this past Monday evening with its annual Montage concert.

With both faculty members and students presenting their musical talents to the Martin community, the concert showcased a wide variety of performances ranging from singing to instrumental talents.

The evening began with a lively performance by the percussion ensemble, directed by Nancy Mathesen, professor of Music, playing Tombo in 7/4 by Airto Moerira, arranged by Dave Brochocki.

They did an outstanding performance that was very upbeat. The performance included the percussionists hollering, which just added to the excitement and fun they were portraying. The percussion ensemble was followed by a performance by faculty member, John Dougherty, a professor of Music, and his wife Jan.

Dougherty sang Lonely Room, from Oklahoma, by Richard Rodgers with a deep, booming bass voice, with his wife accompanying on the piano.

Shenika Turner, a senior Music Education major from Hum-boldt, performed one of her well-known pieces, Rhapsody for Euphonium by James Curnow, with accompaniment by Delana Easley on the piano.

The New Pacer Singers, directed by Fred Spano, assistant professor of Music, performed a wide variety of selections such as Exsultate Justi and Gate, Gate by Lodovico Viadana, arranged by Brian Tate.

Gate, Gate seemed to be a very soothing and quiet song at first, but then there is joyful clapping added and a call and answer format between the vocalists.

The Wind Ensemble, directed by Gregg Gausline, an assistant professor of Music, also performed a few selections for the Montage concert. They performed Sound Prisms by Brian Balmages and Mambo Furioso by Brant Karrick.

“It was a pleasure to perform Sound Prisms, especially since I know the composer so well,” said Alix Miller, an Instructor of Dance.

The Wind Ensemble consists of both students and faculty members playing wind and percussion instruments.

“The composer of Sound Prisms [Brian Balmages], is going to be the best man at our wedding and he was also my college roommate,” commented Gausline.

Another familiar piece performed at the concert was Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, arranged by Mack Wilberg.

The piece was performed by the piano ensemble, directed by Elaine Harriss, associate professor of Music, during its ensemble as the finale.

“I felt great about performing Stars and Stripes Forever,” said Hideko Umehara, a sophomore Marketing major from Japan.

What would a Montage concert be without the Pep band? The Pep band, directed by Michael Walsh, Instructor of Music, came onto stage full of school spirit, shouting out to the audience “U-T-M!”

They performed the school fight song to get the audience in the mood and then finished with Back in Black by AC/DC. The Pep band consists of brass instruments and also some percussion instruments. They did a great job and left the stage the same way the came in, running out the doors shouting the letters “U-T-M!”

The flute choir, directed by Harriss, also performed a few pieces.

The flute choir performed Simple Gifts, arranged by Ricky Lombardo. The nine members of the choir performed a sweet, soothing song that was very pleasant to the ears.

Not all the performances of the concert were ordinary. The percussion ensemble performed Etude for Ten Buckets and Unusual Instruments.

Drums, marimbas and bells weren’t used for this performance, rather buckets, chairs and other unusual items were used by the percussionists.

Many banged on the bottom of buckets, while some banged on chairs, the ground and even a helmet that another percussionist was wearing.

It was a very lively and interesting piece. You can always expect a good and fun show from the percussion ensemble.

The University Singers, directed by Kevin Lambert, chair of the Music department, performed Sanctus by Craig Courtney, Duerme, negrito by Atahualpa Yupanqui, arranged by Emile Sole and Finale from The Gondoliers by Arthur Sullivan.

In Duerme, negrito, Lauren Evans, a senior Music Education major from Dyersburg, sang a beautiful solo with her sopranic voice.

“I liked Sanctus because it’s a deep spiritual song that always makes me want to cry,” said Jessi Cleaves, a junior Education K-8 major from Covington. “The Finale from The Gondoliers is a fast-paced fun song to sing, also.”

The last piece performed during the evening was by the Wind Ensemble. The ensemble performed Mambo Furioso by Brant Karrick.

“Mambo Furioso is a concophony of layers and ideas from the mambo style,” Gausline said. “It is also a tribute to Tito Puente, a famous latin artist.”

The Montage concert was truly an evening of great musical talents shared by the students and faculty members of the Music department.

“I loved it because of the wide variety of music,” said Elizabeth King, a senior Art Education major from Franklin. “UTM showed itself well!”

The next and final Montage concert will be held tonight in the Harriet Fulton Theatre for the High School Honors Band.

“The evening was very successful,” said Dr. Lambert, chair of the Music department. “What we like about it is that it is a joint effort by the faculty and students together, all in one. They all worked hard together.”

For more information about any future concerts or recitals, call the Music department at 587-7402.