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Chrys Weedon<\/strong> | Entertainment Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Western\u2019s wind and percussions ensembles and the Chemeketa wind ensemble paired up to perform a substantial concert on Thursday, Nov. 29.<\/span><\/p>\n Chemeketa\u2019s ensemble, directed by J. J. Meyer, opened the performance. They played five pieces, all of which sounded impressively full despite the small size of the band. Songs played included \u201cAmerican Folk Rhapsody No. 2\u201d by Clare Grundman, \u201cCajun Folk Songs 2\u201d composed by Frank Ticheli, \u201cFoundry\u201d created by John Mackey, and \u201cDown in the Valley\u201d by Pierre La Plante.<\/span><\/p>\n Following Chemeketa\u2019s performance was a set of performances by Western\u2019s percussion ensemble. Two pairs of musicians played two movements each composed by Mark Mellits as part of a multi-movement project. Percussionists were Bailey Schafer, Noah Adams, Evan Saab, and Elijah Thompson.<\/span><\/p>\n Western\u2019s wind ensemble was next in the line-up, directed by Dr. Ike Nail. Playing seven pieces, Western\u2019s ensemble was slightly bigger than Chemeketa\u2019s, but not by much; they still showed a great amount of musicianship and displayed a rich sound. Two songs, \u201cCarnival of Venice\u201d and \u201cReverie,\u201d featured Keith Karns, a trumpet player and arranger. Karns is also the new Director of Jazz Studies at Western.<\/span><\/p>\n The final performance of the night combined both ensembles, finally filling all the stage seats and creating a truly large, triumphant, traditional-sounding group. \u201cEl Capitan, March\u201d by John Philip Sousa was the closing song.<\/span><\/p>\n Both ensembles avoided the trend of playing holiday pieces, tempting being that it is that time of year. Despite the regular amount of missed notes and hiccups that any ensemble knows too well, the concert had a lively pace and there was rarely a lull in the action. Western\u2019s wind ensemble exhibited a collegiate level of musicianship, as did Chemeketa\u2019s even though their numbers were noticeably smaller. Coming together at the end gave the concert a sense of closure and the characteristically full sound of a classic American ensemble.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n