OBU Children’s Vocal Groups To Perform Nationally

February 6, 2001

One of Oklahoma Baptist University Children's Choral Society's acclaimed youth singing groups is basking in the spotlight of national attention.

The Concert Choir recently was honored with invitations to perform at two music education conventions this winter, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association State Convention in Tulsa, Okla., January, 26, and the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conference in Williamsburg, Va., March 10.

The choir, one of only four choirs from the across the nation selected for this honor, is the first from the OBU music preparatory department to sing at a national conference.

Involving sixth- through ninth-grade students from 15 different schools in the Shawnee, Choctaw, and Midwest City areas, the choir was formed in 1995 by current director Dr. Darla Eshelman, OBU associate professor of music and music education coordinator, as an extension of the Shawnee Honor Choir.

Assistants for the group include OBU music education majors Suzanne Gett, junior, student conductor; Kathy Cripps, senior, accompanist; and sophomores Tiffany McGrew and Elizabeth German, assistants.

In its sixteenth year, the preparatory department, a program of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, is the largest department of its kind in the state, with over 300 students presently enrolled in the program. It has served as a model for other universities in developing similar programs.