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‘A Christmas Celebration’ introduces BPC’s Trejeito to community

Trejeito and its band perform at the PAL Theatre Dec. 7 in “A Christmas Celebration”. (Photo by Kelley M. Arnold)

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

MOUNT VERNON—Brewton-Parker College’s newest musical ensemble “Trejeito” performed before a packed PAL Theatre audience in historic downtown Vidalia earlier this month. The ensemble, which includes a women’s trio and a full jazz-style band, brought a fresh, fun sound to the theatre and to the beginning of the end of the college’s Christmas performance season.

Trejeito replaces the Baron Singers ensemble this semester, which has forged a loyal following over the years under the direction of Dr. Glenn Eernisse, chair of BPC’s Division of Music. Trejeito is also under the direction of Dr. Eernisse.

The Brewton-Parker College Brass Ensemble began the concert with three seasonal selections: “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,” “Pat a Pan” and “We Wish You a Swinging Christmas”.

Trejeito (pronounced tre-jay-too) means “the groove of life”, and groove they did. Performing more than 10 festive and some funky songs, including “Proud Mary” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, the ladies trio of Amanda Cann, Joy Dawson and Amanda Madson, combined with their talented band charged the room with toe-tapping entertainment. With an intermission performance by the Trejeito Band of several more seasonal songs, the ladies returned with a more inspirational performance, with songs such as “We Fall Down”, “Sing Gloria” and the traditional “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, performed as the last song in Baron Singers concerts.

The Trejeito Band consists of Dr. Armenio Suzano, alto saxophone; Matthew Pittman, tenor saxophone; Brian Summerlin, trumpet; Albert Bussey, trombone; Eli Elliot, bass; Brandon Herrington, keyboard; and, Daniel McDonald, drums. Dr. Suzano directs the Trejeito Band and Michael Crosby is in charge of sound.

The BPC Brass Ensemble includes the talents of the following individuals from BPC and the surrounding community: Trumpets – John Reed, Brian Summerlin, Craig Summerlin, Bill Sasser and Mike McKinley; Trombones – Albert Bussey, Dr. Glenn Eernissee, Michael Edwards and Dennis Kirby. Van Willett on the French horn, and Mark Baskin, tuba.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia. To learn more about the Division of Music and its seasonal performances, contact Jennifer Blaylock, division secretary, at 912-583-3136.

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