Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Symphonic Band will perform in concert on Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The concert is free of charge and open to the public.

“The Symphonic Band has prepared a wonderful concert of a variety of music,” said Symphonic Band Conductor Dr. Craig Hamilton, who also serves as Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands at Ouachita. “I am very proud of the work, talent and time the Symphonic Band has put into preparing for the concert. I think the audience will enjoy hearing it.”

Lainey Weatherford, a freshman English major from Hot Springs, Ark., has been playing the French horn for eight years and has continued her musical pursuits at Ouachita.

“This is a different level of skill. Everyone is better in college and they are more devoted to it,” said Weatherford. “Even though, for a lot of us, this is not our major and we are all involved in other clubs and organizations on campus, we can still come together and play music.”

Trombonist Jeremy Cooper, a junior Christian studies and psychology double major from Mesquite, Texas, said he also enjoys the variety of musicians who play in the Symphonic Band.  “Not only are a lot of these people good friends of mine, but they are good players,” Cooper said.  “It is a privilege to work with them and Dr. Hamilton.

“I think that people should come so that they can support their friends but also to take a break from studying to sit down and appreciate great music,” Cooper added.

The program for the concert will begin with “Symphonic Dance No. 2” by Clifton Williams, followed by “Ye Banks and Braes O’Bonnie Doon” by Percy Aldridge Grainger, “Elements” by Brian Balmages, “American Barndance” by Richard Saucedo and “West Highland Sojourn” by Robert Sheldon. The performance will conclude with “Foundry” by John Mackey.

The concert will be webcast at www.obu.edu/band for those who cannot attend the concert.

Members of Symphonic Band include: Caroline Twyford, Angela Bowen and Megan Archer on flute; Suzanna Rieves, Lauren Lynch, Elizabeth Neel, Becky Bloodworth, Kaela Butler and Krystian Rhodes on clarinet; Chelsea Villanueva on bass clarinet; Kelly Cortez, Kacie Richards and Hannah Pearce on trumpet; Grace Hevron and Lainey Weatherford on horn; Jeremy Cooper, Kit Bowen and Dalton King on trombone; Trenton Cooper, Lydia Warren and Matthew Ablon on euphonium; Katie Bynum and Kazuya Higuchi on tuba; and Van O’Rorke, Elva Rosas, Stephen Vaughn, Natalie Kral, Zack Willis, Robert DeSoto, Ian Olmsted, Weston Willis, Blake Langford and Cory Thackston on percussion.

For more information, contact Dr. Craig Hamilton at [email protected] or (870) 245-5137.

By Molly Bowman