Ouachita Stories

Nine members of Ouachita Baptist University’s Wind Ensemble have been selected for the 2016 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band (AIB). The band will perform at the Arkansas Music Educators Convention on Feb. 18-19 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Student musicians from universities around the state were selected for the ensemble by recommendation of their band directors.

“It is an honor for the students to be selected to perform with the AIB,” noted Dr. Craig Hamilton, Ouachita’s Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands. “Students learn from an outstanding guest conductor and enjoy the experience of performing with their colleagues from around the state.”

The AIB will rehearse on Thursday and Friday morning and present a concert on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Hall D of the convention center. The concert is free and open to the public.

Dr. Steve Peterson, director of bands at the University of Illinois, will be the guest conductor/clinician. The repertoire will include “Shortcut Home” by Dana Wilson, “October” by Eric Whitacre and “Sound and Smoke” by Viet Cuong.

OBU students selected for this year's AIB include: Becky Bloodworth, a junior instrumental music education major from Arlington, Texas, on clarinet; Rachel Clifton, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Alma, Ark., on euphonium; Jason Potts, a junior instrumental music performance major from Springdale, Ark., on trombone; Wes Savage, a junior worship arts major from Rudy, Ark., on bassoon; C.J. Slatton, a freshman instrumental music education major from Paragould, Ark., on saxophone; Kaden Sosebee, a senior Christian studies/Christian theology and Biblical studies major from Fort Smith, Ark., on bass trombone; Blake Turner, a sophomore music major from Fort Worth, Texas, on trumpet; Sierra Westberg, a freshman instrumental music education major from Arkadelphia, Ark., on saxophone; and Hailey Whitham, a freshman instrumental music education major on horn.

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