Ouachita’s Cross Brandon participates in Broadway Winds summer program in New York
August 07, 2019
- Rachel Gaddis
Ouachita Baptist University’s Cross Brandon, a sophomore instrumental music education
major from Little Rock, Ark., was one of 10 participants from around the country selected
to study in the Broadway Winds intensive program this summer in New York. The program,
held July 14-18, was hosted by New York University Steinhardt’s Department of Music
and Performing Arts Professions.
Broadway Winds brings together advanced high school- and college-level woodwind players
from New York and across the nation to work directly with professionals in the Broadway
industry. The five-day program allows students to perform, study and collaborate with
NYU faculty and Broadway instrumentalists who have dedicated their careers to the
art of woodwind doubling – playing more than one instrument – as the industry requires
the ability to perform a variety of musical styles.
“This was a phenomenal opportunity for Cross to experience life as a working pit musician
for Broadway musicals and to study with current professionals in New York,” said Dr.
Caroline Taylor, professor of music at Ouachita. “Broadway Winds is a highly competitive
program that requires students to master playing flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe
and bassoon all equally well.”
To be considered for the program, Brandon submitted video excerpts of himself performing
on various woodwind instruments, reflecting his musical proficiency and versatility.
While studying at Broadway Winds, Brandon attended masterclasses covering woodwind
orchestration, paths to a successful career and equipment for doublers.
“I brought my tenor saxophone, soprano clarinet, flute and piccolo because, in the
pit business, there is rarely a time when a woodwind part in a musical calls for only
one instrument,” he said. “That’s why it is important for a woodwind player to be
able to play multiple woodwinds in order to succeed.”
Brandon also had the opportunity to attend a Broadway musical with his peers, as well
as sit in the pit of Disney’s “Aladdin – The Musical” and read the sheet music along
with the woodwinds.
“I met various musicians and had an amazing time,” he said. “Everyone sounded incredible!”
With ambitions to eventually work on Broadway, Brandon said his experience “provided
so much information and knowledge about the business and really inspired me to work
harder.”
“I just would like to personally thank Dr. Caroline Taylor, Dr. Craig Hamilton, Ms.
Alexis Szcepanik and others for putting their all into my education,” he noted. “I
have shared my dreams to be on Broadway with my Ouachita professors, and they have
worked with me by providing as much support and knowledge as they can on topics like
show gigs, how to make connections and how to perform on multiple instruments.”
For more information or to learn more about Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts, contact
Dr. Caroline Taylor at (870) 245-5139 or [email protected].
By Rachel Gaddis
August 7, 2019
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