OC Music alumna performed at Tulsa’s BOK Center to honor Race Massacre victims this summer

Gena Alexander was among a limited number invited to play in the memorial concert.

Image courtesy of oc.edu

Oklahoma Christian University alumna and Adjunct Music Professor Gena Alexander joined an invitation-only group of musicians for an historical concert this summer. Alexander helped honor Tulsa Race Massacre victims during the 100th anniversary concert at the Bank of Oklahoma Center.

She performed with world-famous jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and both the Lincoln Center and Tulsa Symphony Orchestras. They performed the song, “All Rise: Symphony No. 1,” in early June. This honor was possible with the collaboration of the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission.

OC President John deSteiguer proudly praised Alexander for being chosen and for participating in such an important Oklahoma event.

“Congratulations, Gena,” deSteiguer said. “What an honor. OC is home to outstanding musicians.”

Alexander graduated from OC with a degree in Instrumental Music Education, and just started teaching orchestra at Sequoia Middle School just a few miles from OC. When she is not teaching there or at OC, she holds private lessons. Alexander also taught at Putnam City Middle School as an orchestra instructor. She is a member of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Norman Philharmonic, the Lawton Philharmonic and performs as a violinist in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. She was among 50 groups of musicians and singers from churches, schools and arts organizations in Oklahoma asked to perform by the TRMCC this summer.

The concert was live-streamed for the world to watch, but due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety protocols, seating was limited. However, around 100 descendants of Massacre survivors were provided tickets to the event.

To learn more about OC music students and alumni and future performances, visit www.Facebook.com/ocfriendsofmusic.