The Georgia Southern University Symphony and Jazz Ensemble are merging together for the first time Thursday for their concert, “Symphony and All That Jazz.”

The performance will take place at the Performing Arts Center and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“From a programming point of view, it works out for both of us when we share a concert because we can grab two different kinds of crowds, Bill Schmid, director of the Jazz Ensemble, said.

“Symphony and All That Jazz” will present the audience with a variety of musical eras with the two different genres. The symphony will be opening the concert with Hayden’s Symphony No. 100.

Hayden’s Symphony No. 100, also known as the Military Symphony, contains four movements. Maestro Adrian Gnam, the director of the symphony, said.

“The piece has a military flair by using the trumpet in a fanfare kind of way while also using the triangles, timpani and bass drums. It almost sounds like a military march,” Gnam said.

“Some movements are light, some movements are playful, but they still have the seriousness that comes with Hayden. The audience will experience the feeling of surprise with the dynamic changes and shifts in the tones in the movements. Each movement brings something new to the table,” Candice Gary, violist and senior music major said.

The Jazz Ensemble will be performing a broad selection of pieces, including music from recent composers such as Michael Mossman and David Springfield who is the director of jazz band at Valdosta State University.

Springfield’s arrangement, “A Little Peace,” is an atmospheric piece that is laid back, Schmid said.

“There’s a large range of tempos. We’re doing a handful of swing tunes and two high energy Latin tunes that are a lot of fun,” Stephen Cagle, drummer and junior music education major, said.

Both the symphony and jazz ensemble have been preparing around the clock for this performance. It hasn’t just been just rehearsals but also a lot of outside preparation, Cagle said.

“I think we do a lot of really good things in here at our department and we put a lot of work into these events. I would like for people to come and check it out,” Schmid said.

The event is free and the dress code is casual.