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Chrys Weedon<\/strong> | Entertainment Editor<\/span><\/p>\n In the most recent performance in the music department\u2019s busy spring schedule, the brass and guitar ensembles showed off their skills developed during the past school year. In a hybrid performance on May 28, the two groups played three songs each.<\/span><\/p>\n The brass quintet consists of students Ruben Monroy and Kyle Perdue on trumpet, Lisa Munk on trombone, Gabriela Monroy on french horn and Josh Mendoza on tuba. The group is directed by Dr. Keith Karns.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBrass quintet really isn\u2019t like bigger ensembles \u2014 we are very independent while playing, almost like you have five different soloists playing, which makes it really important to know your parts,\u201d Mendoza explained.<\/span><\/p>\n Two of the three pieces played by the quintet were works done in some capacity by student musicians. The first song, \u201cEarth Song\u201d by Frank Ticheli, was arranged Josh Mendoza. The second piece, \u201cHungarian Dance No. 5\u201d by Johannes Brahms, was transcribed by Kyle Perdue. The third song performed by the group was \u201cBrass Quintet No. 1 in B-Flat Minor,\u201d written by Victor Ewald.<\/span><\/p>\n Mendoza commented on his experience, playing a song he arranged: \u201cIt\u2019s always fun hearing your arrangement being played, especially if you put a lot of time and effort into your arrangement \u2014 it makes it all worthwhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In a break between groups, Dr. Karns and Professor Christopher Woitach took the stage to perform a duet written by Frank Foster. Dr. Karns played trumpet and Woitach accompanied on guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n Afterwards, the guitar ensemble geared up for their 54th group performance. The group was made up of Michael Cortez, Stacy Henle, Brandon Stewart and Wally Plada. The ensemble was directed by Woitach, who also played guitar in the performance.<\/span><\/p>\n The ensemble played three songs: \u201cCueca\u201d written by Agustin Barrios, \u201cIko Iko\u201d a traditional song arranged for the group by Woitach and \u201cKen\u2019s Blues,\u201d which was written by Woitach\u2019s friend Ken Carrier and also arranged by Woitach.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n