The WPI Stage Band will perform on Friday
at 11 a.m. at the Fountain Stage at the
Campus Center as part of Homecoming
Weekend.
From the unveiling of Gompei’s Autobiography to the Athletic Hall of Fame inductions, this year’s Homecoming Weekend Schedule offers a parade of sensational activities. The 2014 edition of this annual celebration marks the 20th anniversary of the WPI Stage Band’s participation in the event.
For band director Rich Falco, who has been there from the beginning, it’s a time to both celebrate and welcome home the flock. “I love Homecoming when the jazz alumni stop by,” he says. “I’m always excited to learn of the newest twists and turns of their careers and personal lives. Seeing their children, hearing about their current music making, and enjoying some one-on-one time with alumni is one of the high points of my year.”
Falco calls the event a “jazz homecoming.” It not only gives him an opportunity to re-connect, it also presents a chance for new students to meet graduates.
“Homecoming was always a fun weekend being in the Stage Band,” says Mike Burns. “As a recent graduate, I’m really looking forward to going back to campus and hearing the Stage Band. Homecoming is an excellent opportunity for alums to gather together to remember our time at WPI and to see the students who are still enjoying their time on campus.”
Who: WPI Stage Band, Richard Falco, Director
What: Homecoming Concert
Where: The Fountain Stage at the Campus Center
When: Friday, October 10, at 11 a.m.
See: www.wpi.edu/alumni/homecoming
The 2014–15 WPI Stage Band is a finely tuned, 20-plus piece, 21st century machine. The saxophone section features Paul Johnston (alto), Thomas Derito (alto), Ryan Lang (tenor), Perry Franklin (tenor), and Michael Derryberry (baritone). The trombone section is Matt Kinkead, Kevin Ackerman, Peter Raspe, Nicholas Aleles (bass). The trumpet section consists of Jonathan Adams, Andrew Wood, David Swenarton, Nicholas Mollica, and Luke Perreault. The rhythm section is composed of Andrew Strout (piano), Patrick Schenkenberg (bass), Jeremiah Campanelli and Kyle McCormick (drums), and Connor Weeks (guitar).
Band director Rich Falco
enjoys seeing jazz alumni
return to campus.
When asked about his role in the band, Paul Johnston says, “I play lead alto sax for most of the charts, and I try to relay whatever vibe the tune is giving to the rest of my section. I also find my role important because I find it critical for the lead alto, trombone, and trumpet to be in sync in order for the rest of the band to be tight.”
Johnston says Homecoming has a special significance because “no other performance that we play has more of our peers listening. For every performance, the band members are excited to play our vast repertoire of music for the audience. I have always enjoyed Stage Band because of the vast genre of tunes we play, which include swing, Latin, and rock grooves.”
This year’s Homecoming program features crowd-pleasers, jazz workouts, Latin romps, and festive fare, including “I Be Serious ‘Bout Dem Blues” (John Clayton), “Samba de Los Gatos” (Mike Steinel), “La Fiesta” (Chick Corea), “Chrysalis” (Tom Davis), “The Wise One” (Mike Tomaro), and “Michelangelo” (Astor Piazzolla).
Homecoming at WPI continues to be a popular tradition. The jazz homecoming is no different. It is now something with yearlong import. Three years ago, former students formed the WPI Jazz Alumni Ensemble, which now has more than 150 members.
Jeff Peters is from the class of 2014. “With regards to the jazz program, I am excited to see that the stage band is still alive and well,” he says. “As many of my fellow jazz alums would agree, the WPI JazzGroup [jazz studies program] gave me musical opportunities I never thought I would have at a technological school. I look forward to working with the other jazz alumni to give back to the program and to keep our own playing continuing long after our time at WPI.”
