NGU has rhythm and soul
Hunter Merck, Staff Writer
A new type of cultural event happened in Turner Chapel on Friday, November 18. The Urban Ensemble performed with a jazz and funk influence with a selection of music ranging from the Jackson 5 to Stevie Wonder.
Mykel Perdue played the keyboard for the group and described the music as “soul/new jazz.” The previously mentioned group consisted of three female singers, accompanied by the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, multiple drum sets, bass, electric guitars and keys. Their set included songs from the Jackson 5, Beyonce, Duke Ellington, Snarky Puppy and Jill and Lauryn Scott, among others. The group consisted only of students, faculty and members of students’ families.
“We had been working on this program since the summer, as far as coming up with the set list. During the first few weeks of the semester, we had a few sleepless nights writing and arranging the songs we chose. We rehearsed for three weeks,” said Timothy Houge, who played the saxophone in the show.
Different students described the ensemble as “the best cultural event, period.” Students were excited about the vibe that was captured by the music chosen. “It impressed me how tight the band sounded. They played off of each other really well,” said Eric Wood, a junior CWAL major at North Greenville University.
Despite the fact that the show was on a Friday night, there was still a great turn out. “NGU may be a Christian school, but the urban ensemble brought some soul tonight,” said Ethan Griggs.
