Jazz and Contemporary Ensembles to hold fall concert featuring Bryan Kennard
October 13, 2021
The YSU Jazz and Contemporary Ensembles will perform their first concert of the 2021-22 school year Monday, October 18 at 7:30 PM in the Chestnut Room of YSU’s Kilcawley Center.
The Jazz Ensemble is directed by professor of music Kent Engelhardt. They will feature music by YSU alumnus and jazz composer Bryan Kennard alongside music by Sammy Nestco, Thad Jones, and Bob Mintzer. The concert will also feature vocals by Noah Landry.
The Contemporary Ensemble is directed by John Anthony. They will feature music by Vulfpeck, Kamasi Washington, and Jay Hawkins, with vocals by Audrey Jobe.
Kennard is an award-winning composer and flutist. He was awarded the 2016 Stribling Award for Excellence in jazz studies while attending the University of Texas at Austin. He was also a Young Composer Showcase selectee at the 2019 JEN Conference and received multiple DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards for his performances, compositions, arrangements, and audio engineering.
Kennard earned his Bachelor of Music from Mercyhurst University, a Master of Arts in flute performance from YSU, a Master of Arts in jazz composition from the University of Texas at Austin, and a doctoral degree in jazz composition from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he also served as a teaching assistant for the studio music and jazz department.
Kennard has performed at the Montruex and North Sea Jazz festivals, the Jazz Educators Network Conference, and the National Flute Association Convention, among many other appearances. He has also presented his music in workshops at the International Society for Jazz Arrangers and Composers Symposia. Kennard also serves as an adjunct YSU professor, where he teaches courses in jazz, composition, and music theory.