Musical Events Bring Alumni Back Together

November 9, 2001

Alumni and friends returning to Oklahoma Baptist University this weekend for Homecoming will celebrate the reunion with music during the university's annual Musical Gala and Alumni Showcase.

The Friday gala event will be at 8:30 p.m. in Potter Auditorium of Raley Chapel. It will feature ensembles from the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts.

The Homecoming finale on Saturday night, the Alumni Showcase, will present performances by talented alumni from reunioning classes, and a special mini-concert by acclaimed worship leader Dennis Jernigan, a 1981 graduate of OBU.

The showcase will conclude with the 2001 Harvest Festival, which features the presentation of the traditional Harvest Court, and the crowning of this year's Harvest King and Queen.

The gala is a benefit concert for the College of Fine Arts. Proceeds go to the College of Fine Arts endowed student scholarship fund. Tickets are available and may be purchased at the ticket window or at the door. Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for students.

OBU's Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Jim Hansford, professor of music, will perform "Cloudsplitter Fanfare" by Jack Stamp and the Sousa march "King Cotton" arranged by Brion & Schissel. They will close the program with a tribute to Louis Armstrong, "Satchmo!" arranged by Ted Ricketts.

The University Chorale, with conductor Dr. Nancy Cobb Lippens, professor of music, will sing "Saul" by Egil Hovland, "Laudate Dominum" by Lippens and "Gloria" by Paul Basler. Dr. Ron Lewis, professor of piano, will accompany on organ.

The Bison Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. John Simons, associate professor of church music, will sing "Kyrie," a 12th century chant, "All That Hath Life and Breath" by Clausen and arranged by Stolz and "Battle of Jericho" arranged by Moses Hogan.

The Bison Jazz Orchestra, with first-year director Kevin Pruiett, assistant professor of music, will perform "Fly Me To The Moon" arranged by Sammy Nestico and "Groovin' Hard" arranged by Dave Barduhn.

Pruiett also will perform "Suite in D Major" by G. F. Handel on trumpet, accompanied by Dr. Ron Davis, associate professor of organ.

The Bisonette Glee Club, under the direction of Jack Pearson, associate professor of music, will perform "Good News" arranged by Howard Roberts, "Simple Gifts" arranged by Mark Hayes and "Route 66" arranged by Kirby Shaw.

The University Ringers, directed by Mary Kay Parrish, associate professor of music, will play "Jazz Pizzicato" by Leroy Anderson and arranged by Thompson, "Consolation No. 3" by Franz Liszt and arranged by Michael Cox and "Gypsy Song" from "Carmen" arranged by Elizabeth Watson.

The ensembles will combine for the evening's final selection, "America, the Beautiful" by Samuel Ward.

Saturday's Alumni Showcase will be at 8 p.m. Saturday in Potter Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Part one of the showcase will feature performances by three alumni, Louise Felkel Bateman, a 1961 OBU graduate on Clavinova, and vocalists Travis Holland, '81, and Jill Shirley Mirikitani, '91.

Dennis Jernigan, a 1981 OBU graduate and highly sought after Christian worship leader, will perform a mini-concert for the second part of the show.

The final portion of the show will feature the presentation of the 2001 Harvest Court and crowning of the Homecoming Harvest King and Queen.

Jerry O. Jones, a 1961 OBU graduate will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.