OC’s a cappella group to record a new album featuring five students from the humanities 

After almost a decade, the student singers in New Reign are raising funds to record new music.

February 3, 2021

New Reign is Oklahoma Christian University’s very own a cappella vocal group. The students last recorded an album in 2013, so the current group of singers really wanted to offer new music for their fans.

This year, New Reign students are determined to make the new album come to life.

The current group includes Jarrett Carter (Mechanical Engineering), Hannah Dodson (Elementary Education), Ansel Jeffries (Marketing), Kristen Klein (Graphic Design), Merideth Langley (Interdisciplinary Studies), Mikayla McKinzie (Music Education) and Trevor Reed (Public Communications and Leadership). The group also generously offered to involve alumni of previous New Reign groups to join in on the fun. This will also allow those who did not get to create an album the opportunity to participate in the recording process.

New Reign’s director, communication alumnus and Instructor of Business Wes McKinzie, is impressed with the dedication of the 2021 New Reign group.

 “Groups before our current one have had an interest in recording, but it just hasn’t gotten past a certain point,” McKinzie said. “This group has done a great job at coming up with many ideas of how to really make this possible.” 

OC’s Senior Gifts Officer Christine Merideth is one of the major reasons why the group has the opportunity to record. She has made it possible for anyone to donate directly to the group through myOC. According to McKinzie, fundraising is off to a good start as they have raised over half of what they need to begin. 

New Reign’s recording process is still in the early stages, so there is no finalized song list at the moment. Some traveling may be required to nail down the right spot to record, but hopefully, most of the work will be done on campus.
Those interested in donating to New Reign may do so at give.oc.edu/NewReign.