OC holds free Fall Band Concert in collaboration with high school students from across the metro Nov. 7.
32 high school students will perform with OC’s band ensembles for the first time in their Fall Band Concert.
November 5, 2019 - On Nov. 7, Oklahoma Christian University will debut a new aspect of its annual Fall Band Concert. Local high school students will play alongside OC students in the free performance. The concert is the first of its kind for OC, and among only a few concerts of its kind in the state to feature both college and high school students together. It begins at 7:30 p.m. in Judd Theater.
Professor of Music Heath Jones conducts OC's jazz ensemble while Aaron Parrot plays the guitar in preparation for OC's Fall Band Concert Nov. 7.
The idea for this concert came to Scott Filleman, assistant professor of music and director of instrumental ensembles at OC, when he realized most high school students he talked to did not believe they were qualified to play at the collegiate level.
“Many of those students do not believe they are ‘good enough’ to play in college, no matter how good they really are,” Filleman said. “I have asked my students if they felt unqualified to play before they started here are, and so many raised their hands. I found this to be a problem and sought to do something to help it.”
The musicians will have two rehearsals to practice before the concert. There was no audition required; the only requirement was to register and practice.
This was intentional because Filleman wanted to make sure no player who wanted to be a part of the concert was excluded. He took care to choose musical pieces that would be playable but also challenging to everyone who wanted to play.
The community has had a positive response. When Filleman was planning this event, his goal was 10 participants from local schools. Registration closed on Oct. 29, and the number of participants was more than 30. Students from the following high schools will attend: Chandler, Deer Creek, Edmond Memorial, Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Luther, Oklahoma Christian Academy, Oklahoma Homeschool Bands, Tuttle and Wellston.
The concert will begin with OC’s Symphonic Band playing some pieces on their own, then the high school students will join in playing “Blue Ridge Reel” by J.P. Pepper and “Shenandoah” by Frank Ticheli. Finally, the Jazz Band, directed by Music Department Chair Heath Jones, will close out the concert.
For directions to the concert, visit this link. Don’t miss the other concerts OC is hosting this semester such as the Fall Choral concert Nov. 14 and Cocoa and Carols Dec. 5.