PRESS RELEASE

by Abigail Gattis

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music presents the Percussion Ensemble in concert Monday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The Percussion Ensemble will be joined by a variety of musicians featuring Ouachita students, faculty and alumni during the concert, which is free and open to the public. 

“Each piece on the program is so unique,” said conductor Dr. Ryan Lewis, associate professor of music at Ouachita. “I am thrilled that the students are having the opportunity to collaborate with musicians in so many areas.”  

The concert will feature the world premiere of “Whereon They Stand,” a piece written by educator, composer and percussionist Andrew Cote. “Whereon They Stand” was commissioned in 2020 by a consortium of musicians led by Ouachita alum Sierra Westberg Breeding; it will be performed by Breeding and Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music at Ouachita, on saxophone, with Lewis and Ouachita alum Aaron Breeding on percussion. 

Other performances on the program include “Gaudete” by Michael Engelhardt, featuring the Concert Choir;  “Sweet Dreams, Elizabeth Lee” by Gabriel Musella, featuring Ouachita accompanist Kristen LaMadrid on piano with Erica Dixon, a senior graphic design major from Arkadelphia, Ark., on cello; “Twelve Virtues” by Baljinder Sekhon, featuring soprano vocalist Dr. Maggie Garrett, professor of music at Ouachita; and “Blue City Scenes” by Patrick Glenn Harper, featuring the Saxophone Quartet.  

Student musicians featured during the concert include Jenna Barnes, a sophomore music industry major from Sheridan, Ark.; Collin Clark, a freshman from Lonoke, Ark.; Braden Crawley, a junior computer science and music double major from Jonesboro, Ark.; Jalon Davis, a freshman criminal justice major from Little Rock, Ark.; Caleb Gumm, a freshman instrumental music performance major from Fayetteville, Ark.; Carly Hall, a freshman worship arts major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Lloyd Hassell, a senior music industry major from Scroggins, Texas; Katie McManus, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Buford, Ga.; Jacob Parks, a freshman music industry and graphic design double major from McKinney, Texas; Andrew Pierce, a music and biology double major from Benton, Ark.; Jonathan Sandy, a senior instrumental music education major from El Dorado, Ark.; and Chloe Spraggins, a junior music and graphic design double major from Hot Springs, Ark.  

For more information about the Percussion Ensemble, contact Dr. Ryan Lewis at [email protected] or at (870) 245-5421.