Contemporary Pop Ensemble will showcase live repertoire in night of memorable hits
October 26, 2026
Santa Fe College’s (SF) Contemporary Pop Ensemble brings together student vocalists, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, horn players, and drummers to perform popular music from the 1960s to the present, Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m., in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall.
This evening of modern music will pair student-crafted arrangements of contemporary pop compositions with innovative original works, directed by SF Assistant Professor of Music Edward White, who teaches his students through repertoire by ear — rather than from written scores — building their own arrangements collaboratively in rehearsal, and through live performance in a professional concert setting.
“This performance will be an opportunity to experience the creativity and skill of Santa Fe College's emerging musical talent,” White said. “The ensemble was formed in the 2024–25 academic year and works the same way a professional band does.”
Classic rock will anchor the set with Styx’s “Renegade,” Peter Green’s “Black Magic Woman,” Pink Floyd’s “Breathe,” David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream,” Greg Lake’s “From the Beginning,” and Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting).”
Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Evanescence’s “My Immortal” round out the catalog selections, while the ensemble’s contemporary reach will play songs by Gorillaz, RAYE, Olivia Rodrigo, Sienna Spiro and Emma Nissen.
The evening will also feature “Someone to Fall Back On” from the musical theater repertoire, and the premier of “Born from Death,” written by SF students Kevin Ayoub, Michael Palomares, Satoru Christman and Gray McNamara, who comprise the band Crimson.
Tickets may be purchased online on Showpass, or at the Fine Arts Hall box office (352) 395-4181.
About the director
Edward White, Ph.D., teaches guitar, music production and recording, and American popular music. A jazz-trained guitarist, he has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, appeared alongside Grammy-winning artists, and been featured as a guest artist at the Tampa Jazz Festival and the Uptown Music & Arts Festival. He performs regularly throughout the southeastern U.S. in jazz and contemporary music and works as a guitarist for hire and a clinician, leading jazz band, small-group and improvisation workshops.
