Rebekah Bruce Parker leads a master class for OC music majors online

The notable OC alumna presented on musical conducting.

April 13, 2020 - Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway’s theater mentality of “the show must go on” has been brought to a halt, leaving many individuals with unexpected free time. Despite this, Oklahoma Christian University alumna Rebekah Bruce Parker, the music director and conductor of Broadway’s production of “Mean Girls,” was able to work with the OC Department of Music and host an online master class.

As a 2010 OC graduate, Parker partnered alongside OC Professors of Music Heath Jones and John Fletcher to present an exclusive opportunity for music majors to interact with current alumni within professional fields.

Fletcher and Parker’s partnership began with her visiting his Music Theory classes, eventually culminating into the idea of hosting a master class.

“This was a great example of the ‘lemonade emerging out of the lemons’ we've all been dealing with,” Fletcher said. “This was a rich opportunity for interaction between someone who is at the top of her craft, but who has been in the very circumstances in which so many of our undergraduates find themselves.”

Scott LaMascus, OC’s chief academic officer, praised Fletcher and Jones for their work, highlighting the faculty’s continuous devotion to excellence.

“OC music sets the curve again,” LaMascus said. “This is definitely a ‘Best of OC experience.’" 

Fletcher and Jones are working with Parker to soon post a video of her master class online for others to view the impressive work by one of OC’s distinguished graduates.