By Hector Gonzalez
Special to The Lookout

April 25, 2016 -- Santa Monica College will host a spring concert series featuring nine performances of jazz, classical and popular music starting in May.

Performances by SMC's music department will be held at the Broad Stage and at The Edye at the SMC Performing Arts Center, 1301 11th Street, at Santa Monica Boulevard.

Featured will be student musicians from the SMC Symphony, SMC Chamber Choir, SMC Wind Ensemble, and SMC Jazz Vocal Ensemble, a jazz series performance by the Danny Janklow Quartet, full-costume performances by SMC Opera Theatre, Terry Carter and the Riffrafters, and a piano ensemble recital, said SMC spokesperson Grace Smith.

The spring season kicks off Tuesday, May 10, with a performance of the college's symphony orchestra at The Broad Stage at 7:30 p.m. Conducting Hayden's “Oxford” will be director James Martin. Tickets for this performance are $10.

On Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in The Edye, the Danny Janklow Quartet, featuring saxophonist and composer Danny Janklow, will perform as part of SMC's spring jazz series. Janklow is considered one of the most important young musicians on the scene today and is quickly gaining international recognition. Tickets are $10.

On Saturday, May 14, the SMC Chamber Choir, under the direction of Brian Driscoll, performs at The Edye at 4 p.m. The concert will feature English choral works, including Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Benedicite” and selections from Gustav Holst’s “Choral Hymns From the Rig Veda.” Tickets are $10.

Kevin McKeown, no relation to the City Council member, will lead the SMC Wind Ensemble's performance Sunday, May 15, at The Broad Stage, at 2 p.m. The concert will feature John Williams hits, including music from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and a medley of music celebrating the work of Italian composer Ennio Morricone. Also performing will be the Elemental Band, a group of young performers conducted by Peter Senchuk. Tickets are $10.

On Sunday, May 15, Andreas Preponis will lead the award-winning SMC Jazz Vocal Ensemble, backed by Los Angeles-area jazz musicians, in a program of jazz at The Broad Stage, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Opera comes to The Broad Stage with two performance by the SMC Opera Theatre, directed by Gail Gordon, on Saturday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 24. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature selected highlights from a variety of operas, presented in fully staged scenes. Tickets are $10.

On Thursday, May 26, Terry Carter and The Riffrafters will perform a free concert of classic rock, pop, blues and reggae at The Edye, at 11:15 a.m. Complimentary tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.

The May concerts conclude on Tuesday, May 3, with a piano recital at The Edye, at 11:15 a.m. Director Yulia Kozlova will lead four-hand piano and piano duo repertoire performed by advanced SMC piano students. Free tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.

For more information about any of the performances and to purchase tickets, visit www.smc.edu/eventsinfo, or call 310-434-3005 or 310-434-4323.