Monmouth University’s Blue Hawk House Band performed their debut concert at Woods Theatre as part of the third annual Summer Music and Arts Fest on July 9.
Since 2020, the Blue Hawk House Band has been creating virtual productions of classic rock tunes under the direction of George Wurzbach, specialist professor in the department of Music and Theatre Arts. Their videos have been prominently featured on monthly episodes of Monmouth’s Tuesday Night Record Club throughout the pandemic.
Music and Theatre Chair Joe Rapolla remarked, “I couldn’t be more proud of our students. The Blue Hawk House Band has become a vital tradition and performance opportunity for Monmouth musicians. Professor Wurzbach and the students have truly risen to the challenge!”
Ken Womack, Ph.D., professor of English and Popular Music and coordinator of the Summer Music and Arts Fest, added, “The Blue Hawk House Band has done yeomen’s work wowing our Record Club audiences with top-notch performances over the past few years. To see them play live this weekend was a dream come true!”
The Blue Hawk House Band is comprised of Jenae Louis-Jacques on vocals; Dylan Welsh on vocals; Max Adolf and Nick Ruiz-Garrecht on guitars; Sam Carroll on bass; Wurzbach on keyboards; Dillon Schindler on vocals and keyboards; Rapolla on vocals and percussion; Roman Ciervo on percussion; and Mike Viani on drums. Mitchell Hendricks coordinated the technical production with Mike Flannery, adjunct professor in the department of Music and Theatre Arts.
The concert included performances of such classic songs as Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” the Beatles’ “Come Together,” the Who’s “Pinball Wizard,” and Prince’s “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” among other tunes.
