Marshall University 12.0 Jazz Ensemble
Ms. Briana Blankenship is heading to Switzerland and France on a 10-day tour with the Marshall University 12.0 Jazz Ensemble this July.
Briana is the daughter of Rick and Terry Blankenship and the granddaughter of Marge Gherke, all of Grantsville. Briana (pictured right) was Valedictorian of Calhoun High School's 2008 graduating class and is currently a sophomore Music Education major at Marshall University.
Through her first year at Marshall, she maintained a solid 4.0 and made the Dean's List both semesters. She is also active in several major ensembles including the Marshall University Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Marching Thunder, Trumpet Choir, Brass Ensemble, and the Competition Trumpet Ensemble. She is active in several organizations including Delta Omicron, Revolution, and Baptist Campus Ministries.
The 12.0 Jazz Ensemble is the premier jazz ensemble at Marshall University, where one must go through a rigorous audition process to be accepted. While there, the jazz ensemble will be performing five, 75 minute concerts, while attending other major concerts by world-famous artists and touring the countries.
The group will arrive in Geneva, Switzerland on Briana's 19th birthday, and perform their first concert on July 6 in the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival. They will then travel to the summit of Rocher de Naye through the idyllic Swiss mountain villages and mountain meadows with memorable views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.
From there it is on to Lyons and Provence, France, and then to Arles, known for its endless sunshine, beautiful flora, quaint medieval towns, castles, and some of the best preserved Roman ruins in the world. While visiting Arles, the students will tour the Roman Colosseum and Theatre as well as those associated with the famed painter Vincent Van Gogh.
The sun-drenched French Riviera in southeastern France is the next stop and then it is on to Nice and St. Paul de Vence. Through the centuries, villages and towns have been built on the summits overlooking the sea in Nice, affording protection from invading forces. Today these hilltop villages offer small cobble-stoned streets, superb views of the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful and fragrant Mediterranean vegetation and relaxed lifestyle.
The 12.0 MU Jazz Ensemble will travel to Juan les Pins to perform in the Jazz a' Juan Festival and also attend a major artist jazz performance on the famous la Pinede Stage overlooking the Mediterranean Sea before returning back to the states.
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