OC Music Department invites public to free Grand Concert Sept. 10

For 27 years, the Oklahoma Christian University Music Department has kicked off the school year of performances with a joint concert of all bands and choirs. The Grand Concert features each part of the Music Department and is popular with students and employees alike. Musical groups that will perform are the Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Singers, Jazz Band, Steel Drum Ensemble, Symphonic Band and University Chorale. 

This year, the OC Chorale and Chamber Singers are led by interim choral professor Milton Pullen. 

“I told my choir last Friday [that] I was so blessed to be at OC,” Pullen said. “I have in front of me some wonderful talent, but most importantly, I have in front of me young and soft hearts who have welcomed me into their space. I could not be more pleased for the concert.”

The choirs will present a variety of songs and styles. Students say Pullen likes to describe each style as a different color of crayon that a singer must color the music with to show the audience what the music means. 

The bands are led by Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands George Schrader. 

“The Grand Concert is a way for the OC Music Department to ‘introduce itself’ [so to speak] to the OC community and the surrounding community at the start of each academic year,” he said. “The wide variety of music you will hear [choral, instrumental and jazz] makes for an entertaining concert for all.”

The Jazz Band will also feature a guest vocalist, Stephen Maxwell, who is the new worship minister at Memorial Road Church of Christ.

Schrader is enthusiastic in sharing his excitement for not only the Grand Concert but for OC’s Music Department. 

“While the Grand Concert brings together the audiences of each of the ensembles, we want our attendees to remember that there is so much more that the Music Department will present in the coming months,” he said. “Please check out our calendar, and support these students in future events as well. They are all free, and I can guarantee your life will be blessed by the music you will hear.”