Jon Metzger, assistant professor of music, served as a featured soloist at two different events this fall, and has been busy with a variety of other professional activities throughout the semester.
In November, Metzger was a featured soloist with the East Davidson High School Jazz Ensemble at the annual Music Educator’s In-Service Conference in Winston-Salem.
Earlier this month, he was the featured soloist with the percussion ensemble and jazz ensemble at the State University of Arkansas in Jonesboro. He performed his own three movement composition Jazz Bis with the percussion ensemble. Metzger also gave a master class for university jazz studies and percussion majors. The visit was supported by the university’s lyceum series and Metzger’s corporate sponsor of 16 years, Ludwig Industries.
Metzger also had a three movement composition for jazz quintet and percussion ensemble, “Zoroastrian Thunder,” accepted for publication by C. Alan Publications in August. In October, a recording of his percussion ensemble piece, “Batterie Diabolique,” was released by the nationally-acclaimed Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Percussion Ensemble. The piece received its premiere at Elon in April 2002 and modern dance was choreographed for it by Jane Wellford, associate professor of performing arts, and performed at Elon in May 2003.
In September, Metzger served on the judging panel for contemporary music for the Central Piedmont Regional Artist Hub Program, awarding $8,000 to regional artists. And in October, “Reiko,” a recording on which Metzger played in 1986, was reissued under the title “10 Years in 5 Days” by Howland Records. The original recording won best jazz recording, best debut recording, best small jazz ensemble, best new artist, best song and best record design from the Washington Area Music Association in 1986.