Ouachita Stories

Clay Mobley, a sophomore music industry major from Wylie, Texas, won first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s 20^th annual Shambarger Competition for Singers on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

“When it comes to the Shambarger competition, winning comes with great nostalgia knowing you are now a part of a small group of people who have won this competition before with amazing talents,” Mobley said. “Winning is something I will cherish and use to push me to bigger and greater things for the rest of my life.”

Along with earning first place, Mobley received $750 for his performance of Steven Mark Kohn’s American folk art song “The Farmer’s Curst Wife.” Mobley is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music, and was assisted on the piano by Kristen La Madrid.

“Clay brings a lot to the table in terms of his experience, ability, self-confidence and performance savvy,” Dr. Secrest said. “It has been a sheer joy to work with him since his arrival at Ouachita his freshman year. His performance was a magical moment that will remain firmly implanted in my mind for many years to come.”

The Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers was created as an opportunity for Ouachita students to expand their musical repertoire while gaining experience auditioning in a professional setting. The competition is in honor of Mary Shambarger, professor emerita of music at Ouachita, who served on the music faculty for 32 years as a classroom teacher, voice instructor and choir director. She is involved in the competition every year as a judge. The competition repertoire rotates each year among musical theatre, arias and art songs. This year’s competition featured art songs.

Second place and $500 was awarded to Lizzy Griffin, a junior musical theatre major from Pittsburg, Texas, and student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, professor of music. Griffin performed Claude Debussy’s “C’est L’eaxstase Langoureuse.” Griffin was assisted on the piano by Susan Monroe.

Third place and $350 was awarded to Esther Atkinson, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark., and student of Dr. Arnold Rawls, associate professor of music and artist in residence. She performed Jake Heggie’s “Danny Boy.” Atkinson was assisted on the piano by Kristen La Madrid.

Fourth place and $250 was awarded to Micah Brooks, a junior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, for his performance of William Bolocom’s “Black Max” from Cabaret Songs. Brooks was assisted on the piano by Kristen La Madrid.

Honorable mention and $150 was awarded to Hannah Saunders, a junior musical theatre major from St. Paul, Ark., and student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, associate professor of music. Saunders performed Leo Delibes’ “Les filles.” She was assisted on the piano by Kristen La Madrid.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music and coordinator of Ouachita’s vocal studies program, at [email protected] or (870) 245-5134.

 

By Sarah Davis // Photo above: Clay Mobley (left), won first place in Ouachita's 2018 Shambarger Competition for Singers. Other student winners included (from left): Lizzy Griffin, second place; Esther Atkinson, third place; Micah Brooks, fourth place; and Hannah Saunders, honorable mention. Photo courtesy of Jon Secrest.

February 27, 2018