By Mike Greife,
January 5, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – The Performing Arts Series the Department of Music at the University
of Central Missouri present the trombone quartet Maniacal 4 in concert at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 12, in Hart Recital Hall.
Maniacal 4 is dedicated to creating musical performances that not only entertain and
engage, but also challenge the limits of traditional concert presentation. The acclaimed
trombone quartet not only rocks the standard repertoire, but also embraces a wide
variety of music from around the world and across eras.
M4’s arrangements of music ranging from pop/rock and jazz to classical masterpieces
bring new life to familiar tunes, often with a tongue-in-cheek playfulness that belies
the technical abilities of the group’s four, highly-trained trombonists, Nick Laufer,
Carl Lundgren, Alex Dubrov, and Matt Jefferson.
The four musicians met as freshmen at the University of North Texas. Since the group’s
official launch in2006,Maniacal 4 has performed at music festivals on three continents.
Concerts include lively improvisations and audience participation, including special
requests. Innovative performances of rock blockbusters are audience favorites, and
live M4 performances of Bohemian Rhapsody and Carry OnWayward Son have gone viral
on YouTube and reddit.
M4 frequently joins forces with an array of other musicians and ensembles, from concert
bands to vocal choirs. Committed to the idea of making music accessible, the members
of the group also work frequently with young musicians of all ages at schools and
universities across the country.
In addition, M4 started a popular YouTube video series called Hotel Jams as a way
to make music videos on tour, often with people of all ages and from varying walks
of life. The videos feature a repertoire ranging from Bob Dylan and jazz standards
to novelties, consisting of simply arranged songs played by ear in casual, everyday
environments. Hotel Jams reflects the group’s philosophy that music is a vital part
of human experience that should be explored and shared by everyone. Visit them on
Facebook and at maniacal4.com.
Maniacal 4’s concert Thursday evening wraps up a two-day residency at UCM, where they
will be conducting masterclasses and seminars, as well as a workshop at Warrensburg
High School. Additional information is available at ucmpas.com.
Tickets for Maniacal 4 in Concert are available online at ucmpas.com, at the Central
Tickets Box Office from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday-Friday, in Administration 100, by calling
660-543-8888, and one hour prior to the performance at the venue.
Financial assistance has been provided through a grant by the Missouri Arts Council,
a state agency.
