Vocal Jazz Ensemble Starts April With Spring Concert

As students walk through the halls at USAO, many of them hear the sounds of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble as the group prepares for its Spring Concert April 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Te Ata Memorial Auditorium on the USAO campus. The performance is free and the public is invited.

"The concert features jazz, pop and other standards performed by the group, as well as solo numbers," said Dr. Ken Bohannon, associate professor of music and director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. "In addition, we will be selling our CD, Live and Uncut, during the evening for $15."

Repertoire for the concert includes It Had to Be You, He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped, Nica's Dream, Java Jive, What'll I Do, Moon River and a medley of pop and jazz.

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a mixed vocal group with rhythm section accompaniment. The group is selected by audition and is open to the general student population. They have performed for commencements, civic events and banquets and perform a full-length concert every trimester. In spring 2009 the ensemble toured, performing five concerts en route to, or in New Orleans.

For their spring tour, the group is scheduled to take a cruise to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico at the end of April. The group is schedule to perform while on the cruise. Their fall concert and CD sales served as a fundraiser for the trip.

The ensemble also is sponsoring two performances of the Church Basement Ladies at USAO April 18 at 2 and 7 p.m. in Te Ata Memorial Auditorium. Church Basement Ladies is a new musical comedy celebrating the church basement kitchen and the women who work there. Tickets are $18 for groups of five or more, $20 for single tickets, and can be purchased by calling 405-574-1213

Members of the ensemble include Crystal Davis, a music major from Oklahoma City; Brittany Mealier, a music major from Okay; Matthew Pitts, a music major from Comanche; Joshua Smith, a music major from Blanchard; Mac Stephenson, a music major from Healdton; Chance Wilson, a psychology major from Fletcher; Katie Boyd, a music major from Chickasha; Jessica Fowler, an English major from Yukon; Ashton House, a music major from Hydro; Molly Tracy, a communication major from Middletown, Rhode Island; Gabriel Addington, a music major from Kremlin; Logan Rogers (upright bass), a music major from Duncan; Ty Greenhalgh (drums), from Chickasha, and staff accompanist Rhenada Finch (piano).

Additional information about singing in the ensemble or hiring the ensemble for public or private performances is available from Bohannon by phone at (405) 574-1293.