Ouachita Stories

Seven members of Ouachita Baptist University’s band have been selected for the 2015 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band. The band is presented by the Arkansas chapter of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). The AIB will perform at the Arkansas Music Educators Convention on Feb. 19-20, at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Student musicians from 11 universities around the state were selected for the honor by recommendation of their band directors. Dr. Craig Hamilton, Ouachita director of bands, noted, “It is an honor for the students to be selected to perform with the AIB. Students learn from an outstanding guest conductor and enjoy the experience of performing with their colleagues from around the state.”

"This is a great opportunity to be able to play with college musicians across the state under some well known conductors,” added Carter Harlan. Harlan, a percussionist, is a junior instrumental music education major from Arkadelphia, Ark.

This year’s conductor will be Dr. Gary Hill, director of bands at Arizona State University. The AIB’s performance will premiere Michael Markowski’s new work for band, commissioned by the Arkansas chapter of CBDNA.

Highlighting the significance of being a member of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Band, Wes Savage, a sophomore worship arts major from Rudy, Ark., said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to perform with a variety of people. Ouachita has given me a good basis in learning music and making connections within music as well as to the outside world.” Savage will play bassoon in the AIB.

Allison King, a senior music major from Fort Worth, Texas, was chosen to play bass clarinet for the band. Agreeing with Savage, she said, “I'm looking forward to learning and playing new music, and I especially like seeing that there are other bass clarinetists in the world than myself and the few others I've been in band with.” The AIB features double the typical number of bass clarinetists.

“For most concerts at OBU, an ensemble will rehearse dozens of times over the course of a few months,” Harlan noted. “With AIB, we will present a concert with only a few hours of rehearsal, so it will be a fun challenge and a great experience for all the players."

Additional Ouachita students chosen to perform include: Elizabeth Lawson, a senior instrumental music education major from Texarkana, Texas, on horn; Justin Massey, a junior instrumental music education major from Weatherford, Texas, on bass; Jason Potts, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Springdale, Ark., on trombone; and Chelsea Villanueva, a senior music performance major from Bentonville, Ark., on clarinet.

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

 

By Chelsea Whelpley