Pops Concert Nov. 16-17

The annual Tyler Junior College Pops Concert, "Dancin' Thru the Decades," will be presented 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16 and 17, in Wise Auditorium on the TJC main campus.

Tickets are $5 and are on sale in the TJC cashier's office in the White Administrative Services Center, and can also be purchased at the box office each evening of the show. All seats are general admission, so early arrival is suggested. Featured performing groups will be the pop/show group Harmony & Understanding and the TJC Jazz Ensemble.

This year, Harmony & Understanding's performance features songs and dances from each decade, beginning with the swing and big band sounds of the 1930s and '40s, move through rock and roll of the 1950s and '60s; and disco from the 1970s.

For the '80s, the group will do tributes to the band Queen and Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

"We will end up with the latest music from the Broadway and film musicals 'Rent' and 'Hairspray'," said Angela Smith, director of Harmony & Understanding.

The group is choreographed by Candy Crocker Jordan. Harmony & Understanding members are: Dana Padgett, The Woodlands; Jessica Bradburry, Huntsville; Queila Dos Santos, Van; Stephanie Cason, Mes- quite; Sheree Johnson, Gilmer; Kayla Travis, Kaufman; Jessilyn Taylor, Tyler; Chet Tippen, Gettysburg, Pa.; Andy Smith, Bullard; Cameron Royall, Athens; Beau Garland, Van; Michael Roberts, Whitehouse; Bryant Huey, Tyler; and Josh Williams, sound.

The TJC Jazz Ensemble has provided performance opportunities for interested students with the TJC band program for more than 30 years. Under the direction of Heather Mensch, the jazz ensemble also performs for a variety of campus and community events throughout the year.

Jazz ensemble personnel includes:

* Saxophones: Jacob Wellman, Mabank; Katie Dugan, Corsicana; Jean Villasana, Palestine; Oliver Flores, Tyler; and Justin Davis, Ingram

* Trombones: Phillip Joseph, DeSoto; Nathaniel Gardner, Martins Mill; Ryan McInturff, Van; and Sam Labordus, Calgary, Canada.

* Trumpets: Kyle Anderson, Tyler; Jonathan Gandy, Tyler; Sean Morrow, Big Sandy; Jarrod Yeager, Buffalo; and Casey Chitty, Wills Point.

* Rhythm: Ashtyn Walker, Tyler, piano; Hayden McMullen, Mabank, guitar; De'Marcus Walker, Tyler, bass; and Montrael Sanders, Tyler, drums.