Eighteenth Performance of OBU Candy Concert This Week
October 22, 2001
October 22, 2001
Oklahoma Baptist University's 18th annual M&M's Pops Concert featuring the OBU Symphonic Band and Bison Jazz Orchestra will return to campus this week with a 90-minute program of light musical fare for the entire family.
The M&M's concerts, named for the famous chocolate candy handed out with ticket purchases and as prizes during the concerts, will be Thursday and Friday, Oct. 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m., in Yarborough Auditorium on the OBU campus.
William James Brown, OBU professor emeritus of music, will serve as master of ceremonies for the 18th consecutive year. The concert will feature the annual "name that tune contest," and a drawing for a carton of M&M's.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Jim Hansford, OBU director of bands, will include a tribute to Louis Armstrong in an arrangement of four tunes made famous by the legendary dixieland-jazz trumpet player.
The arrangement, "Satchmo!" by Ted Ricketts showcases "What a Wonderful World," "St. Louis Blues," "When the Saints Go Marching In," and "Hello Dolly." Joining the band on stage as part of a dixieland combo will be Chris Bade, associate professor of music, on clarinet and Kevin Pruiett, associate professor of music and director of the Bison Jazz Orchestra, on trumpet.
Other Symphonic band numbers include "Stephen Foster Songbook" by Stephen Bulla, which will serve as the "name that tune" piece on the program.
The concert opener will be "Cloudsplitter Fanfare" by Jack Stamp. Children will be invited to march around the auditorium with Brown as the band plays the famous Sousa march, "King Cotton."
The band will conclude with the popular "Light Cavalry Overture" by Franz von Suppe, a work composed in 1866 and popularized as a semi-classical concert work frequently use in commercials and as background music in movies.
Pruiett will make his debut as performer and conductor at the concert. The Bison Jazz Orchestra will perform tunes by Glenn Miller, "Pennsylvania 6-5000," by Thad Jones, "A Child is Born," by Les Hooper, and "Chickenscratch." The jazz band will perform arrangements including "Fly Me to the Moon," by Sammy Nestico, "Spain," by Gene Gjesvold, and "Groovin' Hard," by Dave Barduhn.
"This concert is definitely a musical event for the entire family," Hansford said. "Considering the wit and humor of Jim Brown and the great variety of music presented, there is something for children and adults of all ages."
Admission cost for the concert is $3 and includes a bag of M&M's. Children six years and younger are admitted for $1. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Oct. 22. Call 878-2305 to make reservations.
