Ouachita Baptist University Symphonic Band to present concert
ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s Symphonic Band will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. March 13 in Jones Performing Arts Center.
The free concert is open to the public. “The symphonic band consists mostly of non-music majors,” said Ouachita Assistant Director of Bands Nevada Mills. “These students play because they still have a love and desire to make music.”
Tiffany Dee, a sophomore finance major from Pearcy, plays the flute and piccolo for the symphonic band and is a member of the marching band flag line. While she isn’t a music major, she continued her musical pursuits at Ouachita.
“Music has shaped me as a student by giving me a sweet escape from stress,” Dee said. “It has given me a way to take a break and appreciate music more.”
The band rehearses twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These rehearsals last two hours and are spent perfecting four to seven pieces of music for each concert.
“Spending so much time with the band creates close bonds,” Dee said. “When you walk into the band room as a musician, you have the chance to express yourself and show people what you put hours and hours of work into.”
The program for the concert will include “Cenotaph” by Jack Stamp, Jan de Haan’s arrangement of “Susato Variations” and “Heart Songs” by David Maslanka. The band will also play “Chant and Jubilo” by the late W. Francis McBeth, a longtime professor of music at Ouachita and internationally acclaimed composer and conductor. It will conclude with “Air Poétique for Horn and Band” by Ted Huggens and “Fire!” by Gary Gilroy. Heather Thayer, assistant professor of music, will be featured on horn in “Air Poétique.”
“This concert has something for everyone and spans many different eras,” Mills said. “We have music from 1551 all the way up to 2003.”
Call the School of Fine Arts at 870-245-5129 for more information.