AUDREY HESTER
STAFF WRITER
4/7/2025
The Alma College Performing Arts Department put on a joint concert between the Jazz and
Percussion Ensembles on March 31. The concert featured performances from both ensembles
separately and playing alongside one another.
“The idea of a joint collage concert presented an opportunity to allow both groups to
complement each other. Both ensembles have a rich background of high energy concerts,
drawing in repeat audience members. […] Our groups work extremely hard and having as many
folks getting to see the fruits of our labor is a huge boost in the overall concert dynamic for all
involved,” said Toni Myers, Assistant Director for Alma’s bands and the Director of the Jazz
Ensemble.
“I enjoy the opportunity to create memorable musical performances with the bands and
percussion ensemble and sharing what I have learned with our students. I was blessed as a kid to
have a number of great musical mentors and experiences. My wish has always been to be such a
mentor to my own students,” said David Zerbe, Alma’s Chair of Music and Band Director. Both
Zerbe and Myers were involved in the creation of the joint concert.
“I hope folks left the concert with a smile. There was incredible music being made on the stage
and the positive energy coming from the audience was such a great addition to the overall vibe of
the concert. I hope that all who left were humming a tune and felt like they were a part of an
invigorating experience,” said Myers.
The Department is now looking forward to the Masterworks Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Concert, which will take place on Sunday, April 6. The concert will contain performances of all
five movements of the Lighthouse Keeper and the piece Lux Aeterna, a Latin piece containing
references to light.
“Both pieces in the Masterworks program focus on the collective human experience. […] Using
music as a driving force for expression, both Runestad and Lauridsen explore themes of grief,
despair, hope, faith, and reassurance. Both composers wrote these pieces for people in their lives
who they had lost. Although both Masterworks are quite different musically, the connecting
thread is the raw human emotions that we experience in our daily lives,” said Nicole Mattfeld,
Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at Alma College.
Both concerts serve as excellent examples of the power of collaboration in music and the talent
shared by Alma’s student body.
“The students are the driving force behind everything I enjoy and love at Alma. Beyond just their
talent, their attitude, work ethic, humor, and passion create such a lovely environment for singing
and learning together. We have truly become a little family and I am lucky to say that I love
coming to work every day,” said Mattfeld.
“I’ve always loved choir. It’s a great way to make friends and meet new people here on campus.
I’m excited for this Masterworks concert definitely. I really like the Lighthouse Keeper. […] The
fifth movement is a wonderful closer to the piece. It’s very powerful. […]. It’s sure to be a great
concert. The orchestra sounds wonderful and it’s awesome to hear the whole piece come together
with everyone there,” said Theo Fein (‘27), who is a member of the Alma Choir.
Tickets to the Masterworks Concert are free for students and can be acquired through the Alma
College Ticketing website.
The Almanian: News 
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