West Chester University: Free Jazz Concert Set For July 21

WEST CHESTER, PA ­­—Alumni of the Criterions Jazz Ensemble will take the stage for a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday,July 21, in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester.

The concert will also be available via livestream at www.vimeo.com/wsom.

An annual tradition, the Criterions concert, “Crites” for short, welcomes alumni old and young who played in the premier musical ensemble while at West Chester University back to campus for a concert that includes jazz, swing, and big band music.

This year’s ensemble includes members who have gone on to successful careers as professional musicians, music teachers and music executives.

Dave DiValentino, a band director in the North Penn school district, is the director of the alumni ensemble.

“The Criterions reunion always has an amazing energy to it,” DiValentino said. “These musicians look forward all year to getting together with fellow alumni from across all generations and to performing some of the best jazz standards ever written.”

DiValentino said this year will be extra special because we are back in ‘full-force’ after lower participation than usual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Criterions will play from the big band literature that includes the music of Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton and more.

The concert coincides with the Wells School of Music’s Summer Jazz Camp and students from the camp will perform in a few of the opening numbers.

Saxophonist Jonathan Ragonese, also the Director of Jazz Studies at West Chester University’s Wells School of Music, will be featured in the concert.

“Ragonese plays all over the tri-state area," DiValentino said. "For local audiences to have the chance to see him perform for free is a real treat."