By Jamie Breedlove

What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a free concert? The entire Fitchburg State College community is invited to come and enjoy the eclectic music selections of the Fitchburg State College Concert Band and Jazz Band on May 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Weston Auditorium. 
The 39-member Concert Band, directed by Michael M. LaCava, is comprised of students from FSC and local high schools, as well as a few dedicated community members. The musicians have been practicing diligently all semester, and flutist Nicole Pacenka says she is anticipating the crowd’s reaction upon hearing the trills that the flute section has been working so hard on in “Century Point.”
The Concert Band’s program will include five songs: “Sea Songs,” “Les Mis Ballet,” “Century Point,” “The SS Eagle March” and music from experimental “Krautrock” band Faust.
The FSC Jazz Band is directed by Michele Caniato and is composed of six FSC students and one local high-school student: two basses, two drummers, a trombone, flute and piano player.  This small group will be performing selections including “Solar” by Miles Davis, “Cousin Mary” by Coltrane, and “Black Orpheus” by Louis Bonfa.
FSC student Nikki Tibbets attended the Winter Band Concert and says she was thrilled by the performance. “I enjoy watching and hearing my friends perform; it makes me wish I could play an instrument,” she says. “I’m definitely excited for the spring concert coming up.” 
If you are interested in learning more about these bands or joining, you can contact Michael LaCava for the Concert Band at [email protected] or Michele Caniato for the Jazz Band at [email protected].  They both meet once a week to rehearse for an hour and a half, and Fitchburg State College students can also register for them to receive one art credit.