Concert Band presents spring concert with community members

As part of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma’s community outreach initiatives, the USAO Concert Band will present a special spring concert featuring a collaborative band of university students and community members.

The performance will feature music from famous video games including Tetris, Resident Evil, Arkham City, Halo, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy VII and many more. USAO music education major Garrett Stancil will conduct several of the pieces. The concert will take place April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Te Ata Memorial Auditorium on the USAO campus.

The program has been successful bringing in community members and high school students from as far as Anadarko. Additional musicians and students from all majors are always welcome. Brief seated auditions are required to determine part assignments. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“This is an opportunity for USAO students to interact with community members, and for community members to resurrect their old music skills and perform with our students,” said Dr. Kate Sekula, assistant professor of music and music department coordinator. “Not only do these interactions add to the university’s outreach efforts, they give the surrounding communities a creative outlet to express their musical interests in a public arena.”

Sekula has been a member of the USAO faculty since 2014, after earning her Ph.D. in music theory and history from the University of Connecticut. She received her bachelor’s in music education and flute performance from Lebanon Valley College and a master’s in flute performance from George Mason University. In addition to conducting the concert band, Sekula teaches courses in music theory.