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Jazz-a-Que

Bell Cultural Events Center

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Bell Cultural Events Center
April 12, 2025
6:00 PM

MidAmerica Nazarene
University Jazz Ensemble
Mr. Doug Talley, Director
Dr. Luke D. Johnson, Director
Earlie Braggs, Trombone

MNU Jazz Ensemble

I Want Jesus to
Walk With Me
Spiritual
arr. Chris McDonald

Yair Saucedo,
alto saxophone

MNU Jazz Combo

Little Sunflower
Freddie Hubbard

Maeson Tunley,
Evelyn Adam,
Lacey Buxton,
Sage Adam,
Gracelyn Duncan,
Emanuel Escobar,
Malachi Wasson

Intermission

MNU Jazz Ensemble

One O’Clock Jump
Count Basie
arr. Jeff Hest

Earlie Braggs,
tombone;

Peter Vessey,
tenor saxophone;

Collin Downey,
trombone;

Sage Adam,
tenor saxophone;

Evelyn Adam,
trumpet

It Could Happen to You
Jimmy Van Heusen
arr. Jake Haughey

Lindsey Peterson,
voice;

Earlie Braggs,
trombone;

Peter Vessey,
tenor saxophone

Things Ain’t What
They Used To Be
Mercer Ellington
arr. Duke Ellington

Yair Saucedo,
alto saxophone;

Earlie Braggs,
trombone

MNU Jazz Combo

Killer Joe
Benny Golson

Maeson Tunley,
Evelyn Adam,
Lacey Buxton,
Zoe Harding,
Alex Wood,
Gracelyn Duncan,
Michael Coleman,
Malachi Wasson

St. Thomas
Sonny Rollins

Maseon Tunley,
Brent Crites,
Yair Saucedo,
Sage Adam,
Collin Downey,
Gracelyn Duncan,
Michael Coleman,
Malachi Wasson

Intermission

MNU Jazz Ensemble

Cold Duck Time
Eddie Harris
arr. Mark Taylor

MNU Jazz Combo

One for Daddy-O
Nat Adderley

Yair Saucedo,
Evelyn Adam,
Maeson Tunley,
Christopher Winton,
Gracelyn Duncan,
Emanuel Escobar,
Malachi Wasson

Doxy
Sonny Rollins

Brent Crites,
Maeson Tunley,
Lacey Buxton,
Christopher Winton,
Gracelyn Duncan,
Emanuel Escobar,
Malachi Wasson

MNU Jazz Ensemble

Perdido
Juan Tizol
arr. Frank Mantooth

Yair Saucedo,
alto saxophone

Little Brown Jug
Joseph Winner
arr. Paul Lavender

 

MNU JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Saxophone

Yair Saucedo - alto

Lacey Buxton - alto

Zoe Harding - alto

Peter Vessey - tenor

Sage Adam - tenor

Kaleigh Guthrie - baritone

Trumpet

Brent Crites

Evelyn Adam

Maeson Tunley

Judah Kuhn

Trombone

Collin Downey

Christopher Winton

Alex Wood

David Waller

Ron McClellan#

Rhythm

Gracelyn Duncan - piano

Emanuel Escobar - bass

Michael Coleman - bass

Malachi Wasson - drums

#MNU Faculty/Staff or Community Member

 

 

 

Meet Our Guest Artist:
Earlie Braggs

Earlie Braggs is a freelance musician currently living in
Kansas City, MO. While living in Kalamazoo, Ml.,
he was a member of the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra,
the Kalamazoo Big Band, the Otsego Jazz Ensemble,
and the Jazz Septet from Battle Creek, MI.
Earlie also led his own jazz quartet.

He spent many years traveling the U.S. and performing
with various artists and music ensembles including
Cab Calloway, Cat Anderson, Steve Allen and
Kansas City favorites, pianist Jay “Hootie” McShann
and jazz violinist Claude “Fiddler” Williams, to name a few.
From 1997 to 1999 Earlie toured Europe and select U.S. venues
with the New York-based Illinois Jacquet Big Band.
He is also a founding member of the Jazz Heritage Orchestra,
a 17 piece professional jazz orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio,
which has featured internationally celebrated artists
including Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, and Benny Golson.
Earlie has appeared on his own CD and numerous other recordings.

He is currently a member of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra
and also an early Kansas City jazz history based
ensemble - The Vine Street Rumble. In 2024 the
Earlie Braggs Quartet was the Saturday afternoon
headliner for the two day Johnson County Community College
Winterlude (Kansas) featuring a contrast between the styles of
Kansas City musicians and the New Orleans Sound
of Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra,
the main act of the festival. Earlie has adopted the motto
“Have trombone, will travel” since that is what musicians
sometimes must do to perform music.

 

 

Consider supporting
MNU Performing Arts by
joining Friends of the
Performing Arts.

www.mnu.edu/fpa

 

 

An opportunity for community
members of all ages to study
applied music lessons
with professional

MNU faculty, community
teaching faculty
and MNU students.

www.mnu.edu/caa

 

 

UPCOMING PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

MNU Student Senior Showcases

April 13, 2025 at 7:30pm Bryson Kendall — in Mabee Performing Arts Hall

April 15, 2025 at 7:30pm Savannah Paxton — in Sunderland Black Box Theatre

April 17, 2025 at 7:30pm Ashley Parker — in Sunderland Black Box Theatre

April 22, 2025 at 7:30pm Kalon Hale — at Cunningham Center in Tollefson

MNU Improv Show

April 24, 2025 at 9:00pm

MNU Student Film Festival

April 24, 2025 at 9:00pm

Cunningham Center Student Lounge

https://www.mnu.edu/events/midamerica-student-film-festival/

MNU Percussion Studio: Percussion Show

April 26, 2025 at 7:30pm

MNU Band, Choirs and Chamber Orchestra Concert:

Let Everything That Has Breath

April 27, 2025 at 3:30pm

MNU Theatre, Film & Choir: SPARK Camp

June 2-6, 2025

https://www.mnu.edu/spark-mnu-arts-camp/

MNU Theatre Summer Shakespeare:
The Merry Wives of Windsor

June 19-21, 2025 at 8:00pm

To reserve your tickets for the concerts or shows,

go to bellcenter.mnu.edu or call the box office at (913)971-3636

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Our Mission: A transformative university that nurtures
Christlike community,  pursues academic excellence,
and cultivates a passion to serve.

Our Vision: To impact the world for Jesus Christ through
servant leaders recognized for their excellence,
integrity, and spiritual vitality.

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal​

President

EdD; Educational Administration (Higher Education/Public Relations), Ball State University
MSE; Music, Ball State University
BS; Music & Art Education, Ball State University

Dr. David Spittal has been the president of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2012. Under his leadership, the university is striving to reach the next level of God-honoring excellence.

Prior to coming to MNU, Dr. Spittal served as president of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., from 1994 to 2011. During his 17-year tenure, the university experienced historic growth and expanded to five campuses and learning centers. His work led SWU to strengthen and build relationships with the local and regional community.

An influential member of the local community, Dr. Spittal serves on various councils and boards including the Council of Advisors of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees for the Kansas Independent College Association and Kansas Independent College Fund. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education of the Church of the Nazarene.

He and his wife Donna have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

  • Accelerated pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
  • Acceptance into Cleveland for all students who complete appropriate coursework at MNU with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • Specialized advisor for students of MNU who intends to pursue professional study at Cleveland.

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

  • Desire to pursue a career in Chiropractic Medicine
  • Major in Kinesiology

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

  • Complete an application to Cleveland 6 months in advance of desired entrance date.
  • Complete a minimum of 99 hours of an undergraduate degree at MNU.
  • Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Complete all coursework as outlined in the agreement between MNU and Cleveland.

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

  • Preference points on application into a highly competitive program.
  • Mission alignment between Southwest Baptist University and MNU.

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program  students must:

  • Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.
  • Complete the GRE
  • Complete the PT application through PTCAS
  • Provide documentation of 40 hours observation in physical therapy.
  • Complete selected prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C” and a 3.25 prerequisite GPA.

Your adviser will work with you to ensure that you take the required prerequisite courses to qualify for this program.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

  • 3+2 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 2 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU and a bachelor’s degree from MNU, or
  • 3+3 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 3 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU, a bachelor’s degree from MNU, plus a master’s in engineering from WashU.
  • Combines the best of MNU with the strength of a top engineering school
  • Students participating in the 3+3 options receive a 50-60% tuition discount at WashU
  • GRE is not required for admission

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

  • Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in science and mathematics courses
  • Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

  • Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
  • Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of transferable college credit
  • Complete the following courses:
    • Chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab
    • Computer Programming: One course or certified proficiency in a high-level language
    • English Composition: One course or certified proficiency
    • Humanities and Social Sciences: At least 15 hours (see WashU website for specific prerequisites)
    • Mathematics: See WashU website for specific prerequisites
    • Physics: One year calculus-based physics with lab
  • See WashU website for department-specific prerequisites

To learn more about program offerings at MNU and degree specific prerequisites, visit engineering.wustl.edu/dualdegree

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Craig Masters at cmasters@mnu.edu

Give Online

To make a one-time or recurring gift, please use our secure online form. 

Recurring gifts are processed on the 10th or 25th of each month. You may modify a recurring gift at any time by calling our office.

Give Crypto

Why Do We Accept Cryptocurrency Donations?

MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation recognizes the growing significance of cryptocurrency in today’s economy. Donors may find it beneficial to make cryptocurrency contributions and should consult their tax advisor regarding how these donations may fit into their tax strategy.

Why Donate Cryptocurrency?

For donors in the United States, the IRS has classified cryptocurrency as a form of property. This means that when you donate Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, such as the MNU Foundation, you may be required to pay capital gains tax on donated cryptocurrency and still be able to claim a deduction for your gift. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation Gift Acceptance Requirements

In accordance with the MNU Foundation Gift Acceptance Policy, all contributions of cryptocurrency are immediately converted to cash upon receipt and cannot be refunded for any reason. While we are happy to honor requests for public anonymity, donors must identify themselves when making a cryptocurrency charitable contribution.

For more information, contact Associate Vice President Christa Jenkins at ccjenkins@mnu.edu or 913.971.3607.

Make your gift through our cryptocurrency partner.

Give Securities

To transfer securities to the MNU Foundation electronically via the Depository Trust Company (DTC), please provide the following information to your broker:

Charles Schwab

DTC #: 0164
Account Holder: MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation
Account Number: 4867-1893

It is our desire to appropriately acknowledge the generosity of our donors in a timely and accurate manner. To assist with the identification of your gift, please ask your broker to include your name and address in the DTC transfer instructions. In addition, please notify our Associate Vice President, Christa Jenkins, of your gift and intended designation via email at ccjenkins@mnu.edu or by phone at 913.971.3607.

As soon as a securities gift is received and matched to a donor, the MNU Foundation will send an acknowledgment letter stating the nature of the gift, the gift valuation date, and the gift valuation amount.

Give by Mail​

Checks should be made payable to MNU Foundation and the designation should be included in the memo line. Mail to University Advancement, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

Employer Matching

Many companies and corporate foundations encourage their employees’ philanthropic efforts by matching their contributions to non-profit organizations such as MidAmerica Nazarene University. Some companies will even match the donations made by retirees and/or spouses, gifts of volunteering, or offer payroll deduction. In most cases, MidAmerica receives dollar-for-dollar matches. But in some cases, the company’s match doubles or triples the employee’s gift. Use the search bar below to see if your gift is eligible for employer matching!

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by
Powered by Double the Donation

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