As the Department of Music prepares to host its “Spring Jazz Extravaganza,” the final concert for the 2015-2016 jazz series season, anticipation continues to mount as students add final touches to their performances.

The annual event, which is now in its ninth year, will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 28 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus.

The concert will feature two jazz ensembles comprised of Southeast students and will provide audience members with an assortment of styles from “Blue Monk” by Thelonious Monk to “Doxy” by Sonny Rollins.

Dr. Robert Conger, director of the ensembles, believes that the concert appeals to a variety of audiences because of its diversity.

“I am really trying to have a program that doesn’t sound like the same piece one after the other,” Conger said. “When I develop a concert I try to make sure that there is a diverse set of pieces so that every piece has a different flavor so that it is more satisfying for the audience, and this is why the concert will be a great experience for them.”

Conger said he is excited about the sound and professionalism of the band and seeing the entire production come together.

“I am excited about the way our students are sounding, they sound very professional, they produce good sound,” Conger said. “We have two bands here — one is our auditioned band and the second is for anyone to join, and both bands are sounding great and I am looking forward to people being in amazement by the sound of the bands.”

Senior Steven Watkins said he is looking forward to his last concert with the studio jazz ensemble, but admitted it will be a bittersweet experience.

“It’s really bittersweet, because I have played in a lot of concerts since I have been here, and I have had a great time doing it. This is going to be a great concert to leave on, but I am definitely going to miss it,” Watkins said. “Every day in practice with Dr. Conger was always fun, and even with this being my fifth year here, I still learn new things and I like that.”

Bill Reed, a senior cyber security major, said he has enjoyed being able to continue practicing his music while being in a different program.

“I’m really glad that I was able to keep my music habits going Even though I am not a music major, I can still feed that part of my life,” Reed said.

Still, Reed sometimes found it difficult to balance the demands of his classes and the ensemble.

“It was sometimes difficult to balance the two because my degree has me doing one thing while the ensemble has me doing another, and it makes practicing difficult, but it is really worth it because this is something that I enjoy,” he said.

General admission tickets are $12 and student tickets are $3 with a valid Southeast ID. Tickets can be purchased at the River Campus Box Office, online at RiverCampusEvents.com or by calling (573) 651-2265.