USAO Musicians Selected for All-State Honor Band

When the 90-piece Oklahoma Intercollegiate Honor Band takes the stage later this month, it will include two music majors from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Junior flutist Kari Westmoreland, a music major from Purcell, and sophomore alto saxophonist Rebekah Ervin, a music major from El Reno, were selected to the ensemble that represents the very best college and university band students from across the state.

“The challenging repertoire performed by this elite group makes this a unique learning experience,” Ervin said. “This will be an invaluable experience to rehearse with a world-class conductor. I am thrilled at this invitation to perform with the very best band musicians in the state.”

Both Ervin and Westmoreland are members of the USAO Concert Wind Ensemble and USAO Droverspirit Band, under the direction of Dr. Dan Hanson, professor of music at USAO. Hanson currently is serving his 21st year as director of instrumental ensembles. “The band includes students from every major across the campus. Membership is open to everyone who enjoys artistic musical expression in a spirit of camaraderie and fun,” Hanson said.

“These talented students exemplify the best of what is right at USAO. The music faculty are extremely proud of these accomplished musicians. We salute their talent, hard work and dedication as representatives from our special university,” Hanson said.

The Intercollegiate Honor Band is scheduled to perform a public concert Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Downtown DoubleTree Hotel in Tulsa. The concert is part of the annual Oklahoma Music Educators Association Conference. The extended OMEA Conference is scheduled in the Convention Center and hotels of downtown Tulsa Jan. 28-31.

The honor band is comprised of top band students from universities and colleges across Oklahoma. The students rehearse together for two days and perform a difficult program. The band is sponsored by the OMEA and the College Band Directors National Association of Oklahoma.

Each year, a different world-renowned conductor and clinician is invited to conduct the ensemble. This year’s guest conductor is Dr. Frank Battisti, noted conductor from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.