224 organizations The program featured well-known guest performers, representatives from the Humane Society of Searcy’s Barkin’ Barn thrift store and legendary songs such as “It Had to Be You” and “Embraceable You.” The Harding University Jazz Band performed a benefit concert for the Humane Society of Searcy on November 14. The Searcy High School Performing Arts Center was full that night as many locals came out for an evening of great music to benefit a worthy cause. The Jazz Band worked on the musical selections for about two months before the concert, but preparations for the concert started in January of 2008. This was the second benefit concert the Jazz Band performed for the Humane Society, the first being in 2006. “It was rewarding [to] partner with community volunteers who give their time and effort again,” Jazz Band Director and Music Department Chair Warren Casey said. “It reminded every member of the band that when they came to Searcy, they became part of this community. We had an opportunity to contribute here in this place, just like many other volunteers who live and work in Searcy.” The student performers in the Jazz Band were honored to get to play for such a wonderful cause. “Harding and its departments have always desired to serve the Searcy community in any way that it can,” junior Tyler Morse said. “Holding a concert to benefit the Humane Society is just one more way that Harding can serve and it is always nice [for] the Jazz Band [to have] a chance to play.” The concert was titled “Where Our Boys Are” and was performed in a 1940s live radio-show format. The Jazz Band performed big-band swing style music from the 1930s and ‘40s. Chicago trumpeter John Hadraba was featured as the “Armed Forces Broadcaster” to add to the 1942 radio-show experience. The show featured three guest performers: Doug Scharf, a professional trumpet player from Chicago, Bob Duda, a singer from the Chicago area, and Shirley Chauvin, a jazz vocalist known throughout Texas and Arkansas. The guest performers not only enhanced the performance but also showed the students in the Jazz Band how they could continue to use their talents outside of college. “The students got to work with the professional musicians that performed with us,” Casey said. “That experience alone would be good, but seeing that the pros are willing to help out in a benefit performance made for an even better experience.” The concert was a huge success, raising not only awareness, but also financial support. The Humane Society surely benefited from the outreach of the Harding University Jazz Band. “The whole concert was a lot of fun to play,” senior Angela Withrow said. “To get to play and interact with the guest performers was a great experience.” The most important lesson the Jazz Band gained from this experience was that performing was not always about showcasing their talents. Giving back to the community was one of the best ways they could use their musical forte. “[The concert] was a way the Jazz Band at Harding [could] give back to our community in our own unique way,” Casey said. “We decided to use our talents in a different way, perhaps in a way few other groups can.” Bethany Loftis R e s c u e Jazz Band Raises Money For Humane Society Jazz Band Collegiate Chapter of MENC Row 1: A. Ritchie, J. Perkins, E. Harrell, D. Walton. Row 2: B. Foy, E. Walker, S. Yarnell. Row 3: A. Lytle, T. Kaye, A. Warzecha. Row 4: J. Hughes, W. Hammes, P. Cox (Sponsor). Row 1: J. Easter, N. Dean, J. Tesh. Row 2: G. Snider, M. Parks. Row 3: M. Finch, D. Newburn, L. Kirkham. Row 4: C. Smith, A. Gresham, A. Winthrow, B. Stafford. Row 5: T. Replogle, A. Mowrer, B. Ash, B. Mathews.
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