The 53rd annual jazz festival started off with a performance by the EIU Jazz Ensemble and professional trombonist Conrad Herwig on Friday.

Sam Fagaly, the director of the EIU Jazz Ensemble, he thought the concert went great.

“It’s hard to go wrong with a virtuoso like Conrad Herwig,” Fagaly said. “He is a veteran performer and a great artist.”

Herwig said he thought the concert was great.

“I thought it was very exciting, the students were really well prepared and they’re well rehearsed,” Herwig said. “There were a lot of exciting solos by the students.”

Fagaly said the students did a good job in the concert.

“I’m very pleased with what our students did, they played some very challenging music,” Fagaly said. “I’m pleased that they seemed to enjoy themselves, and so did the audience.”

The ensemble played different compositions such as: “Hipper By The Dozen” by Al Horney; “Body and Soul” arranged by Conrad Herwig; “Triangle” by Conrad Herwig; and “Lonnie’s Lament” arranged by Conrad Herwig.

Allison Buettner, a senior music major and a trumpet player in the EIU Jazz Ensemble, said she thought the concert went well.Buettner also said the members of the ensemble did really well.

“We had a good concert with some great solos,” Buettner said.

Jessie Svenningsen, a senior music major and a saxophone player in the ensemble, said for the amount of rehearsal they had with Herwig, the concert went great.

“We had our first rehearsal with him (Friday afternoon),” Svenningsen said. “He is a phenomenal player.”

Buettner said she enjoyed performing with Herwig.

“He’s a great player,” Buettner said. “I like how he kind of took over and said how he would run a band.”

Fagaly said playing with professionals like Herwig helps motivate the students.

“He experienced all the things they inspire to as developing musicians and he can share that experience with them,” Fagaly said. “Everyone benefits from great artistry, it enriched our lives.”

Fagaly said students learn different things from different professionals.

“There are some technical music things that he is able to share with the music students,” Fagaly said.

Herwig said he like to help students improve their musical sound.

“One of the most important things is making other people sound good and I really felt they took to heart and supported me in the concert,” Herwig said.

Christine Robertson, a Charleston resident, said she thought the ensemble improved from playing with Herwig.

“I think he, just by playing with them, raised the band to a new level of playing,” Robertson said.

Robertson said she thought Herwig was great.

“I was impressed, I loved his style, his charisma, and his musicality,” Robertson said.

Herwig said the concert helped him feel excited about music.

“The best thing for working with students is the excitement,” Herwig said. “For a professional musician like me who has played thousands of concerts, it is all trying to duplicate what it’s like the first time, that freshness. Playing with students, you get that feeling, because that energy is really honest and fresh. They are enjoying it, so it makes it enjoyable for me.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.