The annual concert will feature Iowa Central’s band and choir students.

“The Spring Showcase is always bittersweet because the students have been working together all year and this is our last formal performance before graduation,” said Iowa Central band director Paul Bloomquist. “I’m very proud of the growth of the musicians and how they have come together as one unit to present quality music.”

The Iowa Central jazz band, under Bloomquist’s direction, will open with a bebop selection featuring a trumpet battle between Nicholas Ross and Amaia Walsh. Later, it will remember composer and big band leader Gordon Goodwin with a shuffle arrangement of the song “I Got Plenty of Nuttin’ ” from “Porgy and Bess.”

“We are featuring two outstanding students, Bryce Walker on flute and Nicholas Ross on flugelhorn, on a bossa nova ballad called ‘Blue Memories,'” said Bloomquist. “The band has learned about a Cuban mambo style called guaracha that will demonstrate the talents of the rhythm section.”

The concert band will play “Galop Comique,” a commissioned work by Randall Standridge which honors the life of longtime music educator Ross Leeper. Leeper taught instrumental music at Eagle Grove Middle School, Knoxville High School, and at Simpson College. He also directed the Fort Dodge Symphony, Fort Dodge Choral Society, and played alto saxophone in the Karl King Municipal Band.

“The piece captures the humorous side of Leeper’s personality,” said Bloomquist. “The song will also feature William Wright on the xylophone.”

Freshman Lacy Larson will be featured in a French horn solo on “Rondo for Horn” by Richard Strauss.

The concert band will conclude the Spring Showcase concert with a silent movie soundtrack.

“The challenge of making live music line up with a film is not new for Iowa Central, but it has been several years since they have done this,” said Bloomquist. “The movie is a short western comedy called “Billy Blazes, Esq.” starring Harold Lloyd. Lloyd was one of the biggest silent movie actors in the 1920s, earning even more money than Charlie Chaplin.”

Iowa Central’s Encore singers will include songs “Shut Up and Dance,” “Stand In The Light,” and “Crazy Train.”

The Jazz Choir is slated to sing “Blue Moon,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “In My Life.”

Later in the concert, the concert choir will perform “Measure Me, Sky,” “Sing Gently,” “Water Fountain,” and “Somewhere” from “West Side Story.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the talent of Iowa Central’s student musicians and vocalists,” said Bloomquist.

The Spring Showcase is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 16-17 at Decker Auditorium in Iowa Central Community College’s Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.