The evening of April 29 began with the performance of the jazz band, led by conductor George Sprengelmeyer, associate professor and director of music. Since taking on the conductor role last year, Sprengelmeyer has helped guide both the individual students and the collective group to grow in many ways.

“The students are engaged, hardworking and there is a great sense of camaraderie in the band,” said Sprengelmeyer. “Everyone is supportive of all the other members of the group and, as a result, the band plays at a very high level and has a lot of fun.”

Following the jazz band, the symphony orchestra performed five pieces, including “Jaws” by John Williams and “Promenade (Walking the Dog)” by George Gershwin, during which the orchestra members shared a photo gallery of their dogs.

The symphony orchestra is led by Vesna Mehinovic, adjunct professor and orchestra conductor. She is also the music director and conductor of the Hamden Symphony Orchestra.

Mehinovic highlighted the skills that students gain from their involvement in the arts.

“Students become more responsible by attending to their obligation to be present at rehearsals and not let the other players down. They become more discerning musicians by being exposed to the vast musical repertoire from which our program selects,” she said.

Caden Effrece ’25, MS ’26, a graduate student in the accelerated 3+1 dual-degree computer science and master’s in cybersecurity program, who serves as the leader of the second violins, said his involvement with the orchestra has been integral to his Quinnipiac experience.

“I think that my involvement with the orchestra gave me a place to go at Quinnipiac. It was my home on campus, a place I can go once a week and play beautiful music with everyone, laugh, joke around and somewhere where I can just be,” said Effrece. “I found a lot of good friends from this place, and I have a good group of people to be with. It made college a lot better for me knowing that I have a place to return to.”

As Effrece prepares for his graduation, he said he is grateful for all that the orchestra has given him.

“It has been a joy for me to play with the Quinnipiac Orchestra, and I will always cherish the memories I made here. It's such a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to consider music as an option for them,” said Effrece.

Other members have also found community and belonging during their experience in the groups.

Claire Carlson ’28, a double major in sociology and environmental policy and sustainability, is involved with both the jazz band and the symphony orchestra as a flute player.

“I’ve met so many great people through the ensembles, and there’s a sense of community for the students there. It’s just a lot of fun and I’m excited to go to rehearsals each week,” she said.

Carlson has also had many opportunities to grow outside of the classroom thanks to her involvement in the ensembles.

“I’ve loved being in both ensembles. I feel like I’ve really been growing as a musician in both of them, and I’m really glad that I have the opportunity to be involved in music here,” said Carlson. “I’ve also had leadership opportunities through the ensembles — I’m the student director for jazz band and I’m also going to be the secretary for orchestra next semester.”

For students interested in becoming more involved with the arts, Sprengelmeyer encourages them to reach out to him directly.

“If anyone wants to join one of the music ensembles such as the jazz band, symphony orchestra or the university chorus, Quinnipiac Singers, they can contact me directly and I'll connect them with the groups,” said Sprengelmeyer. “We welcome students of all backgrounds and levels, and there are no auditions required to perform with the groups.”

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