Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host the Tiger Steel Drum Ensemble in its fall concert on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Art Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. The performance is free and open to the public.

Founded in spring 2013, Tiger Steel includes student musicians from several academic schools across campus. Directed by Dr. Ryan Lewis, Tiger Steel specializes in performing calypso and soca music from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago – the birthplace of steel drums – but also performs a variety of styles from jazz, pop and rock to classical, funk and Latin. This semester’s performance will keep this traditional feel and apply it to some American favorites.

“If the sound of a steel drum band does nothing else, it brings people joy and makes them smile. I have never met someone who did not enjoy the sound of steel pans—most say it reminds them of being on a cruise or relaxing on the beach,” Lewis said.  “Creating joy is a powerful gift and just one of the many blessings and benefits of music.”

The Dec. 5. program will begin with the calypso song “Jump in the Line,” a Harry Belafonte tune that has become signature piece for Ouachita Tiger Steel. Also in the program are two pieces by the King of Calypso, Mighty Sparrow, titled “Both of Them” and “Jean and Dinah.” The ensemble also will perform a Panorama competition arrangement of the calypso piece “Pan in A Minor” by Lord Kitchener, “Mambo Mindoro” by jazz vibraphonist Cal Tjader and Lewis’ arrangement of Edvard Grieg’s string orchestra piece “Ase’s Death” from the Peer Gynt Suite. As a special holiday treat, the concert also will feature Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy,” the theme song from A Charlie Brown Christmas. “Linus and Lucy” will feature sophomore Joanna Horton on piano, and “Mambo Mindoro” will feature senior Chris Hogan on vibraphone.

“Hearing enjoyable music from the Caribbean will help all attendees relax, smile and take a break from their daily routine, especially as we head into exam week here on campus,” Lewis added.

Tiger Steel members include:

 

• Elizabeth Baker, a senior music performance and psychology double major from Grapevine, Texas

 

• Aaron Breeding, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Springdale, Ark.

 

• Judd Cochran, a freshman instrumental music education major from Texarkana, Texas

 

• Chris Crutchfield, a sophomore Christian studies/Christian missions and computer science double major from Bauxite, Ark.

 

• Seth Daniell, a freshman music composition major from Arkadelphia, Ark.

 

• Troy Daniell, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major from Benton, Ark.

 

• Robert DeSoto, a sophomore mass communications and Spanish double major from Sheridan, Ark.

 

• Ashton Edwards, a senior graphic design major from Fordyce, Ark.

 

• Carter Harlan, a junior instrumental music education major from Fayetteville, Ark.

 

• Chris Hogan, a senior instrumental music education major from Bartlesville, Okla.

 

• Joanna Horton, a sophomore music and English double major from Arkadelphia, Ark.

 

• Nick Gibson, a freshman instrumental music education major from Teague, Texas

 

• Lauren Hutcheson, a sophomore musical theatre and education double major from Bossier City, La.

 

• Nick Kowalkowski, a freshman chemistry major from Hot Springs, Ark.

 

• Ben Lange-Smith, a junior psychology major from Harare, Zimbabwe

 

• Gail Lange-Smith, a freshman from Harare, Zimbabwe

 

• Cory Thackston, a junior psychology major from Dardanelle, Ark.

 

• Dillon Thomas, a sophomore Christian Studies/Christian missions and Biblical studies double major from Keller, Texas

 

• Abby Tipps, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Sulphur Springs, Texas

 

• Stephen Vaughn, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Hot Springs, Ark.

For more information on Tiger Steel or Ouachita’s percussion program, contact Dr. Ryan Lewis at [email protected] or (870) 245-5421.

 

By Dalaney Thomas