Musical Gala, Glee Club Concert Highlight Homecoming

November 5, 2012

OBU's 2012 Homecoming celebration will feature two musical highlights: a Fine Arts Musical Gala on Friday, Nov. 9, and a Bison Glee Club 75th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, Nov. 10.

>> CLICK HERE to find a link to watch the Glee Club concert live online Saturday at 8 p.m. and to download the concert program.

The Musical Gala will begin at 8:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. The cost for the event is $5 per adult and $2 per child, and tickets may be purchased at the door. The program will include performances by the University Chorale, the Bison Jazz Orchestra, the Bisonette Glee Club and the Symphonic Winds.

The University Chorale is directed by Dr. Brent Ballweg, OBU's Burton Patterson professor of music. Ballweg is a 1978 OBU graduate, and he is married to Susan (Van Scyoc) Ballweg, a 1977 graduate.

The Bison Jazz Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Kevin Pruiett, associate professor of music and coordinator of instrumental music at OBU. The Bisonette Glee Club is directed by Dr. James Vernon, professor of music. The Bisonettes performance will include "Rock of Ages," written by Michael Cox, a 1970 OBU alum. The Symphonic Winds band is directed by Dr. Christopher Neal, associate professor of music.

The Bison Glee Club 75th Anniversary Concert will begin Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. There is no cost for the event, which is open to the community.

The Bison Glee Club, directed by Ballweg, is an auditioned group of the finest male musicians on Bison Hill. The group was founded in 1938 by Warren M. Angell, former dean and namesake of the College of Fine Arts. The group has long been considered one of the premiere men's choruses in the Southwest and has toured extensively throughout the United Stated as well as in Canada, Europe and the Far East. Its annual season features a variety of performances including tour concerts, regular campus concerts, Homecoming Gala, Hanging of the Green, chapel events and numerous Oklahoma-area appearances.

The anniversary concert will feature several selections written by Angell, as well as selections arranged by OBU alum Richard Huggins, a 1969 graduate. Michael Cox wrote, "If God Is For Us," commissioned for the club's 75th anniversary. The concert also will include performances by the Fallen Angells Quartet, the Bison Glee Club Little Sisters and past directors.

Two trios will perform: "In Remembrance" will be presented by Carolyn Allen Carwell, a 1975 alum, Sherry Shelton Quiring, a 1973 alum, and Kathy Lawson Shipley, a 1975 alum. The Ware triplets - Darrel "Doc" Ware, Gerald Ware and Harold Ware, all members of the Class of 1973 - will perform "California Dreamin'."

Directors of the Bison Glee Club have included Warren M. Angell (1938-74); Michael T. Cox (1974-90); James Vernon (1990-94); Randall Bradley (1994-2000); John Simons (2000-05); David DeSeguirant, a 1986 graduate (2005-10); and D. Brent Ballweg (2010-present).

For more information about the Fine Arts events, contact the OBU Division of Fine Arts at (405) 585-4301.