For the first time in more than a year, Troy University’s jazz vocal ensemble frequency is set to perform live and in-person on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
An auditioned, select vocal jazz ensemble, frequency is devoted to performance of contemporary a cappella choral pieces with a focus on the mid 20th to early 21st century and an emphasis on highly stylized and advanced vocal jazz.
Scott Sexton, Lecturer of choral music and frequency’s composer, said while the majority of pieces will be a cappella, he will be playing the piano to accompany at least one song. The playlist will also cover a wide variety of music, not just jazz.
“We’re opening with a vocal jazz standard from the 40s and 50s, an arrangement by the Manhattan Transfer. In addition to vocal jazz, we’ve also ventured into the pop a cappella world, so we’re doing an arrangement of ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman,” he said. “We’ve had a good time with that one.”
Other tracks in the show include a set of Stephen Sondheim’s musical theater pieces and “Amazing Grace.” The concert is expected to last around 45 minutes.
Over the last year and a half, the 16-member group coped without live shows by working on individual projects, live-streaming events online and recording. While those outlets were enough to get by for the time being, Sexton said their excitement is palpable as the day draws nearer.
“Everyone is happy and feels good because this is what we like to do,” he said. “You can definitely tell there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. We’re very excited to be back in person. I feel like we have a busy year, but we like to be busy and share music with people.”
Zachary Bailey, a senior member of frequency who’s been singing since he was a child, said he’s excited for everyone to see the hard work they’ve put into getting ready for this first performance.
“Since we weren’t able to perform last year, it just feels like there’s been a lot of work done for this performance. I was definitely nervous at first because of our lack of performances last year, but I can confidently say that I am nothing but absolutely excited about the performance,” he said. “This concert is what every senior musician would want –incredible repertoire and even more incredible co-musicians to sing it with. I’m blessed to sing with some amazing people, and I can’t wait for everyone else to see them that way, too.”
For Ellie Russell, another senior member of frequency who also has a long vocal history dating back to childhood serenades, having this live performance after so long of being confined to recording rooms “feels like an especially precious gift.” She’s also excited to share the songs they’ve prepared.
“They carry so much hope, joy, comfort and gospel encouragement. I think our concert will really resonate with a lot of people,” she said. “frequency performances are such a fun and jubilant team experience, and knowing how hard all my friends and I have been working and how much passion we’ve poured into preparing makes it all the more special. It’s a real honor to finally be sharing the culmination of our work with Dr. Sexton over the past three semesters.”
The concert is open and free to the public and will be held in the Band Room in Long Hall room 104. In accordance with the University’s COVID policy, masks will be worn by those in the audience as well as the performers.
Upcoming events include singing at Park Memorial United Methodist Church’s Sunday morning service in Troy, Ala. on Sunday, Oct. 10, the Sounds of the Season collaboration later this year and a Valentine’s Day performance at The Studio in downtown Troy. Several popup events are scheduled in between.
Visit frequency’s Facebook page to get the latest updates, performance information and more.
