OBU Bisonettes to Remember 45 Years of History

Oklahoma Baptist University's Bisonettes, a select women's choral ensemble, will remember 45 years of history in their spring concert Thursday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the university's Raley Chapel. The concert will feature anthems written for the group throughout their 45 years in existence.

The first half of the program will include sacred music ranging in variety from Handel to contemporary Christian selections. The last part of the concert will feature American folk songs and spirituals.

Anthems written for the choir include "I Am Thine," by Nancy Cobb Lippens; "He Shall Feed His Flock," by Clause Bass; "He Keeps Me Singing," by Judy Wright; "Reason to Sing," by Donna Butler; and an arrangement of "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing," by Jack Pearson and Ron Davis.

OBU sophomore, Sky Chaddick, serves as accompanist for the Bisonettes. Freshman Elizabeth German and Tiffany McGrew are soloists for the performance.

The 35-voice group typically performs various types of music, including sacred, classical and popular. In addition to an annual tour of several states, the Bisonettes sing for OBU campus events and perform throughout the state for churches, schools and civic organizations. They have produced two c.d.'s, including Reason to Sing in 1998 and Bisonettes: Past and Present in 2000.

The choral group includes women from many regions of the United States representing several fields of study. The women are selected for the choir by audition.

The Bisonettes are directed by Jack Pearson, OBU associate professor of music. Pearson, who has been a member of the OBU faculty since 1967, has directed the Bisonettes since 1971.

An OBU graduate, he received the master of music degree from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn. He has served as minister of music in churches in Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee.

The Bisonettes were organized in 1954 under the leadership of Dr. Warren M. Angell, dean emeritus of the university's College of Fine Arts.

Oklahoma Baptist University is a four-year liberal arts university offering undergraduate degrees in more than 75 areas of concentration.