
News
Collage Concert a Sonic Three-Ring Circus
Published on May 2, 2025 - 3 p.m.
When Southwestern Michigan College’s Symphonic Band leads off the May 1 Spring Collage Concert with the clarinet and flute sections pounding on drums, anything seems possible — maybe even some Pink Floyd.
And there were Thomas Morgan and Tressa Hullinger with electric guitars on Roger Waters’ “Wish You Were Here,” the title track from a 50-year-old rock album.
There should have been something for everyone with 31 songs spanning a two-hour, non-stop program.
In concept, the Collage Concert is a sonic three-ring circus, with selections unspooling seamlessly sans applause as the spotlight swings back and forth between the Collegiate Chorale, the Vocal Scholars, the Men’s Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble and the Symphonic Band center stage to either the left or right for soloists and small ensembles.
Director of Choral Activities David Carew and Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth conducted the groups, with Christine Larson Seitz and Marcelo Congalves as collaborative pianists.
After the rousing thundering opening of “King Across the Water” by Symphonic Band, the audience in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building heard:
- “I Am a Pirate King,” Matthew Hickok.
- “Without You Without Them,” Tressa Hullinger, Aliya Leavitt, Ollie Shafer.
- “Avril 14th,” Ezra Embil and Gavin Sehy, vibraphone.
- “Through the Dark,” Collegiate Chorale.
- “Sonata,” Christine Seitz.
- “That Lonesome Road,” Choral Scholars.
- “Interlude, Op 11,” Nate Miller.
- “Mosaic,” Jazz Ensemble.
- “Sure on this Shining Night,” Kirsten Carlson.
- “Impossible,” Aliya and Friends.
- “Snake Mountain Blues,” Killian Stankiewicz.
- “After a Gentle Rain,” Mvt. 1, Symphonic Band.
- “Landslide,” Trenton Smith, accompanying himself on guitar.
- “Lineage,” Ucelli Canori.
- “Merry Go Round of Life,” Symphonic Band clarinets.
- “Maureen,” Fawn Bussler.
- “ The Human Heart,” Collegiate Chorale.
- “’Til There Was You,” Fawn Bussler, Sarah Bussler, Stephanie Pollard, Sarah Skinner.
- “Cissy Strut,” Jazz Ensemble.
- “Somewhere/Home,” Coby Henslee.
- “Psallite,” Women’s Ensemble.
- “Melodious Thunk,” Symphonic Band.
- “How Could I Ever Know,” Grace Phillips.
- “Feels so Good,” Jazz Ensemble.
- “Sanctus” from the Gospel Mass, Collegiate Chorale.
- “Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise, Ezra Embil, flute.
- “From the Start,” Choral Scholars.
- “Home,” Lauren Lovell.
- SMC fight song, Symphonic Band, massed choirs.
The instrumental music student recital takes place in the theatre at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.
The vocal music student recital is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, also in the theatre.
SMC’s May 14-17 Performing Arts Tour of area high schools concludes Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Beckwith Theatre in downtown Dowagiac.
The Brass Band concert as part of Music in the Park takes place Thursday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dowagiac Library Event Pavilion.