March 6, 2024

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present the Symphonic Band in concert Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Preforming Arts Center. The performance is free and open to the public. 

 “I am very proud of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and excited to play our programs for the audience,” said Dr. Craig Hamilton, director of bands and Trimble Professor of Music at Ouachita. 

 “Tharsos” by Jeff Jordan will open the concert, followed by Robert Sheldon’s “Appalachian Morning.” The program also includes “Country Gardens,” “My Dark-Haired Maid” and “The Gypsy’s Wedding Day” from A Tribute to Grainger by Percy Aldridge Grainger and Chalon L. Ragsdale; “Sparks” by Brian Balmages; “The Water is Wide” by Vince Gassi; “Flourish for Wind Band” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; “Earthdance” by Michael Sweeney; and “Sanctus” by Franz Schubert. Jim Casella’s “Stormbreak” will conclude the performance.   

 “Please join us for this wonderful program of symphonic band music,” invited Dr. Caroline Taylor, the dean of the School of Fine Arts. “The ensemble is comprised of students from every single school across Ouachita's campus and will perform a variety of compositions from hymn tunes to a piece entitled ‘Stormbreak’ featuring our percussion section.” 

 The concert will be available via the Livestream app or at livestream.com/obu. Past performances by the Ouachita Symphonic Band are available to view on the Ouachita Band YouTube channel. For more information about the Symphonic Band, contact Dr. Craig Hamilton at [email protected] or at (870) 245-5137.