Few events illustrate The University of Alabama’s School of Music standard of tradition like the annual Fall Spectrum Concert. This year’s performance, featuring the full array of the school’s ensembles, will be held Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moody Music Building Concert Hall.

Spectrum features a bevy of the School of Music’s ensembles and faculty. From voice to jazz to classical, the variety of musical talent at Alabama will be highlighted.

This year the Trumpet Ensemble will kick off the evening with “The Star Spangled Banner.” Then Noel Engebretson, professor of piano, will play, followed by the African Drumming Ensemble. Paul Houghtaling and Kevin Chance, the Wind Ensemble, Cavell Trio, Brass Quintet, Huxford Symphony Orchestra, University Singers, Faythe Freese on organ, Jazz Ensemble and the Trombone Choir will all also perform.

As is tradition, the Million Dollar Band will perform last. This year they will play highlights from their 2012 season. Band members line the stage and balconies of the Concert Hall, circling the audience, making the concert a true surround sound experience. Traditionally, they perform the University’s alma mater last.

Hearing the Million Dollar Band in the Concert Hall is a special experience for Bryant Bush, a junior majoring in vocal performance. Bush was a member of the Million Dollar Band for three years. Now, as a member of the University Singers, he finds himself an audience member at the end of the concert cheering on the band.

“As an audience member, you’ve never been that close to the band before, and you’ve never heard anything quite like it,” Bush said.

In keeping with tradition, Spectrum is always held the night before a home game and will occur this year the night before the Tide takes on Texas A&M in Bryant-Denny.

“Especially with the band, it always gets everyone pumped up for football,” Bush said.

Performing at and attending Spectrum isn’t just about football and school spirit. It’s about the School of Music and celebrating the talents and the individuals of each department.

University Singers will represent the choral program at the concert as they are the only choral group performing. For Jonathan Ledger, a master’s student in choral conducting and a general teaching assistant for the choral department, this will be his second Spectrum concert with University Singers.

“It’s a great feeling to represent the choral program at this annual event and share the stage with our instrumental colleagues in the School of Music,” Ledger said. “It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity for us all to perform on the same event.”

Singers will be performing “Prayer” by René Clausen. It was composed in 2009 for the Yale Alumni Chorus Foundation, Inc.

“The work is stunningly beautiful and is written for a cappella choir, set to text by Mother Teresa of Calcutta,” Ledger said. “The piece exudes a sense of awe and humility.”

From the sublime to pieces of pomp and circumstance, Spectrum will offer it all.

“All of the ensembles bring one or two pieces that are sure to showcase their strengths, while at the same time having a lot of audience appeal,” Ledger said. “It’s a great beginning to a weekend focused on talent, both athletic and musical, and school spirit.”