Students studying in the Mary Couts Burnett Library Monday might have thought a flash-mob was happening.

Lines of jazz students entered and exited the Gearhart Reading Room several times, pretending to read books and tablets while performing choreography. 

The Purple, White, & Blues ensemble was filming a video for their opening jazz number, “Words”.

The video will be shown during the upcoming concert Thursday night, as part of the School of Music’s “Ensemble Concert Series”. 

“We’re talking about how words have so many meanings in our lives and how we use them,” said Jacie Mascarenhas, a senior actuarial science major and member of the jazz group.  

Mascarenhas came up with the plan to perform the choreography in the library to align with the theme of ‘words’.  

“It’s kind of a music video,” said Dr. Amy Stewart, an instructor in the School of Music and director of the vocal jazz ensemble. 

Click to hear a musical clip of “Young and Foolish” from TCU Vocal Jazz.

Another member hopes the clip helps set them apart.

“In most musical concerts, it’s serious, it’s professional … [this is] professional, but it also shows the other side, that we know how to have fun,” said Isaiah Allen, a sophomore vocal performance major and group member. 

The School of Music is no stranger to virtually streaming in-person performances. It has been doing so for years before the pandemic. Now, the ensemble performances are held online exclusively.  

“This year, because of the pandemic, we had to be creative about how we created our music together … to replace live performance,” said Stewart. “We just had to be really resourceful and that’s always a good thing.” 

Smaller music recitals have been held in person since the fall 2020 semester, with prior approval and a maximum of 30 audience members consisting of TCU students, faculty, or staff. 

The jazz concert will be streamed live on the School of Music’s YouTube channel Thursday, April 15, at 8:30 p.m. The concert will also be screened live in the Campus Commons outdoor space.  

Click here to see the full schedule of upcoming events for the School of Music.