The Sound Investment

Jazz has been part of the Middlebury experience since the early 1930s, when a group of students formed a band to play the music that’s come to be called America’s National Treasure.

The Sound Investment Jazz Ensemble is the Music Department’s 17-piece big band that builds on the 80-year history of swingin’ music at Middlebury. The band plays the best of contemporary jazz arrangements in addition to celebrating the great tunes of the swing- and jazz band repertoire. The ensemble uses the traditional mix of saxes, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass and drums, supplemented on occasion by other instruments and vocalists.

David Allan Rose, ballroom dancer will be on hand at 6:45 to provide swing dance lessons to anyone who wants to learn or just needs a refresher! Afterwards, put those moves to the test on the dance floor and dance the night away.

David learned to dance in San Francisco in the year 2000 from several of the world’s most accomplished dancers/teachers. Since arriving in Vermont 12 years ago he has taught dance at Middlebury & St. Michaels Colleges, the Waldorff schools, CVU high school, Brandon, Shelburne, North Hero, Bristol town halls.  For three years David was a judge and performer for Rutland Dancing with the Stars charity  events. He travels through out the US and overseas swing dancing. He just returned from five weeks of dancing in Portugal.  David is also a dance promoter hosting major dance events in San Francisco and Oregon and will be organizing a New Years Eve dance at the Shelburne Town Hall. His partner is Christianna Raiche and can be considered one of the most accomplished swing dancers in Vermont.

Don’t dance?  Not a problem.   We’ll have plenty of seating for those of you who love big band music and just want the great experience of hearing a big band play the great old tunes.