Jazz Band Concert

Gorilla Man Blues (2001)   Mark Taylor

There Is No Greater Love (1936)  Words and Music by

                                                     Marty Symes (1904 - 1953)

                                                     and Isham Jones (1894 - 1956)

                                                    Arranged by Eric Richards

                                                    (This arrangement Copyright © 2014)

This I Dig of You (1960)               Hank Mobley (1930 - 1986)

                                                    Arranged by Mike Tomaro

                                                    (This arrangement Copyright © 2011)

I’ll Take Romance (1937)    Words by Oscar Hammerstein (1895 - 1960)

                                            Music by Ben Oakland (1907 - 1979)

                                            Arranged by Jerry Nowak (b. 1936)

Polkadots and Moonbeams (1939)   Words by Johnny Burke (1908 - 1964)

                                                           Music by Jimmy Van Heusen (1913 - 1990)

                                                           Arranged by Dave Wolpe (b. 1936)

                                                           (This arrangement Copyright © 2012)

Intermission

I’ve Got the World on a String (1932) Words by Ted Koehler (1894 - 1973)

                                                             Music by Harold Arlen (1905 - 1986)

                                                             Arranged by Dave Wolpe 

Soon (1936)  Music and Lyrics by  George Gershwin (1898 - 1937)

                      and Ira Gershwin (1896 - 1983)

                      Arranged by Don Schamber (1940 - 2011)

                      (This arrangement Copyright © 2012)

Vine Street Rumble (1960)  Benny Carter (1907 - 2003)

                                           (As recorded by the Count Basie Orchestraon “Kansas City Suite”)

Chris Becker serves as the Director of the Wind Ensemble and the Director of the Jazz Band at Washington University in St. Louis. He graduated from

the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music (With Distinction) in 1977, receiving a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, and holds a Master of Arts in Education from Lindenwood University. Mr. Becker has taught instrumental music at all levels in public schools in Missouri for over 30 years, and is currently employed by the Parkway School District as the Director of Bands at Parkway South High School. Under his leadership, the jazz bands from Parkway South, Parkway Central, and Washington University have all performed for the Missouri Music Educators Annual Convention and have been recognized for outstanding performances at numerous jazz festivals. He has also been nominated for the Pillar of Parkway Award, which recognizes commitment and dedication for work in the Parkway School District.

Mr. Becker has served as the Jazz Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association and is a Past President of the Missouri unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Becker has also served as Jazz Vice President for the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association. Becker plays trumpet professionally with a variety of ensembles in the St. Louis area.

Mr. Becker is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Missouri Music Educators Association, the Missouri Association for Jazz Education, College Band Directors National Association, the Missouri Band Masters Association, and Phi Beta Mu Band Directors Fraternity. He was named “Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director of the Year” by Phi Beta Mu in January, 1999.