Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert

Program

October 3, 2026  

Harlem Airshaft Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

Breathing Fred Sturm (1951-2014)arr. David Springfield

Jolly Beach Annie Booth (1989)

St. Thomas Sonny Rollins (1930-2026) arr. Bill Holman

Almost Like Being In Love Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986)and Frederick Loewe (1901-1988) arr. Lennie Niehaus

Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho Traditional arr. Jason Anderson and Jeremy Pelt

Jazz Ensemble Roster

Saxophone
Emma Larochelle-alto
Lilly Pollock-alto
John Iannitto-tenor 
Matt Wren-tenor
Dorian Florestal-baritone 
Allysa Littlejohn-flute

Trumpet
Jack Greene
Matt Lovell
Eamonn Conolly
Eddy Conrad 
Drayton Brindisi

Trombone
Finn Hanger 
Chris Reif
Ella Flowers

Rhythm Section
Eddy Conrad-piano 
Graeme Bird-piano
Noah Peabody-guitar
Ason Munro-bass
Josiah Sanderson-drums

About the Director

Gerald J. Dolan Jr. is the Director of the Gordon College Jazz Ensemble and Music Education Practicum and Pre Practicum Coordinator. He also teaches instrumental conducting in the Graduate Summer Music Education Program. Mr. Dolan recently retired Director of Fine Arts for the Ipswich Public Schools and as Director of Bands having conducted the high school Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, and Jazz Ensemble. The Ipswich High School Jazz Ensembles have shared the stage with many outstanding performers including Rufus Reid, Herb Pomeroy, Mike Tucker, the United States Navy Commodore Jazz Ensemble, Roomful of Blues, Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Jazz Orchestra, the Glen Miller Band and the Tom Dorsey Band. The Ipswich High School Jazz Ensemble performed at the premiere jazz festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, kicking off the festival with their opening performance during the summer of 2008. Mr. Dolan has studied conducting with Malcolm Rowell and Frank Battisti and holds degrees from St. Michael’s College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Currently, the Music Director of the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras (NMYO), Gerry is the Conductor of the NMYO Wind Ensemble. Mr. Dolan served as a conductor of the United States Youth Wind Ensemble, as Assistant Conductor of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell Youth Wind Ensemble, and Music Director of the Ipswich Community Band and Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Dolan received the 2003 Olmstead Award for excellence in secondary school teaching from Williams College and was honored by the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association (MMEA) with the 2002 Lowell Mason Award, the 2015 Paul Smith Hall of Fame Award from the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) and the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Jazz Educators Association (MAJE). Mr. Dolan has also been elected into the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame. As a 1993 Fulbright Scholarship recipient, he served as Head of Music at the Speedwell School, in Bristol, England. He has been a member of the American Symphony Orchestra League, Fulbright Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, and Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association, he is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout New England and the United Kingdom. Mr. Dolan lives in Ipswich with his wife, Susan, and their two children. 

About the Adams School of Music and the Arts

Gordon College is New England’s top Christian college, widely respected for its commitment to bold intellectual inquiry, personal mentoring and academic rigor. Through a broad spectrum of liberal arts and sciences, students are known, grown and prepared as they develop the intellectual scope and leadership skills to thrive and bring hope amidst the increasingly complex challenges of a global society.

Just north of Boston, and only a few hours from the financial and political capitals of New York City and Washington, D.C., the College is ideally situated to offer students extraordinary access to leading-edge opportunities for professional and leadership development. Gordon stands apart from other outstanding institutions in New England by combining an exceptional education with an informed Christian faith. Formed in 2024, the Adams School of Music and the Arts houses the Music, Art, Theatre Arts and Communication Arts programs.

The Adams School strives to graduate students fully equipped for success in today’s ever-changing world. Each of the School’s music degree programs combines a performance-oriented, nationally accredited education with real-world experience, graduating young adults who possess not only exceptional skill and knowledge, but also the experience required to have a crucial impact in their communities. One of only 19 schools in New England fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, Gordon College Adams School of Music and the Arts offers undergraduate degrees (B.M., B.A.) in which students may specialize in music performance, music education or a liberal arts degree and can pursue concentrations in Music in Worship or Composition. Minors in Music and Musical Theatre are also offered. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, music education graduates are eligible for licensure in 48 states through the NASDTEC Interstate Contract. An innovative, summers-only Master of Music Education degree combines intense research and classroom study with concrete improvement in teaching ability and technique.

Across campus almost 120 students in these music degree programs benefit from the expertise of 30 full-time and part-time faculty and instructors, many of whom are recognized leaders in their fields. All students, regardless of major, are welcomed into music ensembles and core music classes. Roughly one third of Gordon’s undergraduate population participate in Adams School offerings. Numerous community music initiatives in the summer season and throughout the academic year bring the joy of music to the local community. The Gordon Symphonic Band and other College performing ensembles incorporate community members in a truly intergenerational approach to music-making. Varied programs at Gordon instill a love of music in local children, whether it’s singing in the Children’s Choir, spending time on campus during popular music camps, making music with a parent in an early childhood music class or learning how to play an instrument for the first time in private lessons. For further information contact the Adams School of Music and the Arts by emailing [email protected] or visiting the website at www.gordon.edu/adams.

Support Music at Gordon

Interested in the arts? Curious about the new Adams Center for Music currently under construction? Want to support exceptional music performances and education? Consider giving a gift to Friends of Music at Gordon College. Your contribution will help underwrite music events, support academic programs in music, provide scholarship finds for music students, sustain children’s music programs and keep Gordon’s facilities current with the best tools and technology for music instruction. Individual and corporate gifts welcome.

Please contact 978.867.4900 or visit www.gordon.edu/giving and designate your gifts for Friends of Music.