The American River College music department is hosting a spring concert series that runs through March 15. It is made up of all the different ensembles in the department. The last concert of the series is a performance by the ARC Orchestra, directed by Dr. Steven Thompson. 

Dyne Eifertsen, co-chair of the ARC music department and professor, explains what type of ensembles will perform. 

An ensemble is a performance by a group of people playing instruments, singing, or both, according to Eifertsen. He has directed both the ARC Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, performing on March 13, and the Jazz Combo Showcase, performing on March 14.

“These are going to be vocal ensembles. They’re going to be instrumental,” Eifertsen said. “They might be jazz or classical based.”

The ARC Instrumental Jazz Ensemble will also perform a tribute to jazz pioneers Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. 

“[Duke’s] one of the greatest American composers of all time, and his partner, Billy Strayhorn, wrote in collaboration with them,” Eifertsen said. “I try to focus [the students] in on an artist, [a] specific person so they can really get to know that artist and get the background, the history, and why they’re important.”

Eifertsen said he is excited to see his students perform their pieces in the following week. 

“They start to practice, and we start to rehearse and dig in,” Eifertsen said. “I just love that progression, so that makes me super excited.”

Lilliane Guerro and Josiah Ekstedt, both of whom are music education majors, expressed their excitement as well. Guerro said that she likes how their ensemble has a lot of talent in it. 

“It is always a great experience playing in front of people,” Ekstedt said. 

The first concert will be Mariachi Los Rios of American River College on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. directed by Professor Anthony Marvelli. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit the ARC’s music department.