The Bluegrass Ensemble class at DU put on an impressive sold-out performance at the Newman Center’s Williams Recital Salon on June 2, marking the end of the spring quarter. This quarter-long class offers a unique opportunity for both music majors and non-music majors to come together and showcase their talents in the bluegrass genre.
The concert held a special significance as it was the final performance directed by Michael Furry, who has led the ensemble for six consecutive years. As the auditorium filled up, the ensemble took the stage, armed with an array of instruments, ready to captivate the audience.
After a brief introduction by Furry, the show kicked off with “Cooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle. Soloist Maggie Colie’s powerful vocals were complemented by a robust three-part harmony, setting the tone for the evening. An impressive fiddle solo was seamlessly woven into the performance, showcasing the collective talent on stage.
The second song, “Midnight Tears” by The Steeldrivers, was a class favorite, as Furry explained. Charlie Jacobs took the lead vocals, accompanied by Colie and Gavin Farr harmonizing voices, creating a crunchy, jazzy, and high-energy sound that resonated through the room.
Next up was Bob Dylan’s “The Weight,” featuring Gideon Meissner on lead vocals and guitar, backed by the soaring harmonies of Bella Kraus and Kendall Oliver.
The energy continued to build with “A Long Time Gone” by The Chicks. The violin accompaniment by Cecilia Jones and Sidney Barbier set the stage for Colie’s powerful lead vocals. The entire ensemble kept the tempo with their synchronized body movements, tapping their feet or nodding their heads in sync, as Colie hit climactic notes that sent shivers down the spines of the audience.
The students seamlessly shifted positions throughout the performance, showcasing their versatility and skills on various instruments. A unique aspect of the performance, not typical of the bluegrass genre, was the addition of the snare drum, played by Riley Patton and Elsie Harrington.
Along with the snare, there were several instances of unique instruments being used like the spoons, the banjo and the tambourine.
The set continued with songs like “Up on the Divide” featuring vocals from Luca Kaminsky and Christa Noe, and the traditional “St. Anne’s Reel,” which Furry described as a “fiddleton” in the bluegrass world. This playful piece featured a delightful back-and-forth melody between the mandolin, fiddle, and guitar.
Meissner, who Furry acknowledged as a record-breaking ninth-time member of the class, requested Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” taking the solo in this poignant piece. Many students return to the one-credit bluegrass ensemble course, quarter after quarter.
Furry introduced the concept of “pseudo bluegrass,” which incorporates elements of rock and roll and even reggaeton into the bluegrass sound. The students masterfully demonstrated this fusion with their ” Revival ” performance by Newgrass Revival, featuring crunchy harmonies interrupted by a catchy percussion bridge.
Tom Petty’s “Wildflower” showcased jaw-dropping vocals from Colie and Oliver, leaving the audience in awe.
Described by Furry as “the goat of bluegrass,” Billy Strings’ “While I’m Waiting Here” featured Meissner on lead vocals, accompanied by a symphony of strings and percussion.
The emotional “The Mountain” by Steve Earle and The Del McCoury Band was a standout performance, with moving vocals and instrumentals that tugged at the heartstrings of the audience.
The well-known “Dancing in the Moonlight” featured several student soloists and trios, including Barbier, Harrington, Meissner and Robb Corker and the returning harmonic trio of Kraus, Oliver and Abookire.
The song, “Coat of Many Colors” by the iconic Dolly Parton, began in vocalistic unison before blossoming into a moving harmony led by Oliver and Abookire, who spearheaded the creative process of learning this song, according to Furry’s introduction.
Before the final song, “Rocky Top” by The Osborne Brothers, Meissner took the mic to announce that this performance would be Furry’s last as director. They presented him with a card signed by the entire ensemble and a bouquet of flowers in appreciation of his dedication. “Rocky Top” held a special significance as it was performed at the first concert Furry directed at DU and now served as the closing act of his final show. “Rocky Top” featured vocals from Noe, Oliver, Abookire and Jacobs.
The Bluegrass Ensemble’s spring quarter concert was a success, showcasing the talent and dedication of the students and their director, Furry. It was a fitting farewell to Furry’s hard work and a testament to the power of music to bring students together.
