Ouachita Stories

Seven Ouachita Baptist University students recently were selected for the 2017 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band (AIB). They will perform Friday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m. in Hot Springs, Ark. The concert is free and open to the public.

The AIB is an honor band composed of students who represent college and university bands across Arkansas. Band directors submit nominations, and a selection committee chooses students based on instrumentation needs. The band will meet on Thursday, Feb. 16, for the first time to rehearse and will present the concert on Friday. The rehearsal and concert are presented in conjunction with the Arkansas Music Educators Association Convention.

“It is an honor to be chosen. The AIB students are some of the best students from college and university bands,” said Dr. Craig Hamilton, Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands at Ouachita. “The students have the opportunity to make music, network and perform with students from around the state in different programs and rehearse and perform with a guest conductor.”

The Ouachita students selected for AIB this year are: Rachel Clifton, a junior music education major from Alma, Ark., on euphonium; Seth Daniell, a senior music composition major from Arkadelphia, Ark., on horn; Ashley Lovely, a junior music education major from Van Alstyne, Texas, on clarinet; Jason Potts, a senior instrumental performance major from Springdale, Ark., on trombone; Wes Savage, a senior worship arts major from Van Buren, Ark., on bassoon; Morgan Taylor, a sophomore music business major from Hot Springs, Ark., on alto saxophone; and Blake Turner, a junior instrumental performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, on trumpet.

“I am so thankful to be chosen to represent Ouachita alongside such awesome musicians. I get to sit among 100 other students from around the state and make music together,” Lovely said. “One of my favorite things about playing my instrument is that I may not know the people around me, but it doesn't really matter because we're able to connect through our love for music. It's honestly such a powerful thing that I wish everyone could experience.”

The conductor for this year’s band is Eric Romback-Kendall, professor of music and director of bands at the University of New Mexico. Compositions that will be performed are “Caccia and Chorale” by Clifton Williams, “Noche Triste” by Jess Turner, “Blithe Bells” by Percy Grainger and E. Ould and “Paris Sketches” by Martin Ellerby.

“I'm extremely excited for this opportunity! Any chance to go out of my comfort zone and play with a new ensemble is always really fun,” Clifton said. “I also love getting a chance to work with top musicians from other schools who love music as much as I do.”

The band rehearsal and concert will be held in Hall D of the Hot Springs Convention Center. Rehearsal begins at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, and the concert begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. Both are free and open to the public.

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

 

By Sarah Davis

Photo above: Seven Ouachita Baptist University students recently were selected for the 2017 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band, including: (top row from left) Blake Turner, Wes Savage, Seth Daniell, Jason Potts, (bottom row from left) Rachel Clifton, Ashley Lovely and Morgan Taylor. Photo by Caden Flint. Download full photo here.

February 6, 2017