Music of the Mediterranean
Nov 15, 2026 - 3pm
Shawnee Mission West High School
8800 W 85th St, Overland Park, KS 66212
Olive Oil or Butter
This concert features music inspired by the cultures of France, Italy, and Spain. Although Carmen was written by the French composer Bizet, its story takes place in Spain and is filled with Spanish color and passion.
Just as each country has its own musical character, each has its own culinary traditions. Italy and Spain are famous for heart-healthy olive oil, while French cuisine often highlights rich butter. Listen for the energy of a French march and the excitement of a lively galop.
Overture to La Gazza Ladra, Gioachino Antonio Rossini (1792-1868)
Carmen Suite No. 1, Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
"Méditation" from Thaïs, Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet (1842-1912)
"Marche militaire française" from Suite algérienne, Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
"Galop infernal" (Can-Can) from Orphée aux enfers, Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)
Ensemble Musicians
Winds & Percussion
Flute
Janet Braggs
Julia Craig (Piccolo)
Maren Tims##
Oboe
Amelia Stern
Laura Woolsey (English Horn)
Amy Schwartz
Clarinet
Valerie Reese
Amber Scruton##
Bailee Young##
Bassoon
John Bennet
Amy Knudsen
Evan Short (Contrabassoon)##
French Horn
Jesus Garcia Palacios##
Katherine Kashka
Audrey Hartwell
Trumpet
Kim Harrison
Dave Hershberger
Jon Ward##
Trombone
Katrina Blumberg
Fred Zimmerman
Josue Molina
Tuba
Adrian Gutierrez, Jr
Timpani
Tim Schwab
Percussion
Matt Shoaf
Strings
Violin I
Can Balcik-Moretti*
Nadine Rowen
Bill Hetrick
Luis Alvarado
Mackenzie Burroff
Daniel Hanneman
Hannah Hillyer (Harp)
Violin II
Snow Zhang*
Michael Arbucci
Erin Daffer
Carter Vleisides##
Ryan Zhao ##
Robyn Truster
Ananya Pawar##
Viola
Beth Macleod*
Jacob Price
Lynette Fonner
Lynda Kreienheder##
Cello
Samantha Bianculli*
Amanda Borders
Lisa Hamrick
Bass
Andrew Bowels*
Leo Hovey
Sarahi Gonzalez Sanchez
Courtney Boutwell##
*section leader
## New to WE
Guest Musician
Soprano
GiGi Jolie Crenshaw
Soprano GiGi Jolie Crenshaw is thrilled to join the Westwood Ensemble this Fall, making it her second season with the group. GiGi is a 2024 graduate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and studies with Dr. Aidan Soder. During her time at UMKC, GiGi performed the roles of Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), and The Sandman/Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel). In the past year, GiGi has performed with the Westwood Ensemble as a duettist singing “The Flower Duet” from Lakmé and “The Barcarolle” from Les Contes d’Hoffman. She also performed as the dragette, Gold, in the Black Box Theater’s production of Christmas Ain’t A Drag. GiGi is joining the Te Deum choir for their 2025/26 season and is thrilled to be sharing sacred choral works with the Kansas City area. GiGi is from a small town in Arkansas and has lived in Kansas City for the past five years. She plans on auditioning for graduate schools in the Winter and is eager to see where her career and passion take her. GiGi takes much pleasure in singing with the Westwood Ensemble and looks forward to more concerts with them in the future.