A group of Southern Arkansas University students and alumni traveled with Sarah Mickey, instructor of music and assistant director of SAU bands, to the 34th Annual University of Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, which took place at the Catlett Music Center in Norman, Okla. from June 25-27.
More than 300 people participated in the event which consisted of performances, classes and clarinet manufacturer displays. “One of the neatest things was how everyone could visit the exhibit booths and just try out instruments—even if they were not going to buy. This merely added to what was already a great experience,” said Mickey.
The OU Clarinet Symposium is an international event, attracting some of the best performers in the world. According to Mickey, “The highlight of the event was when Julian Bliss, a 20-year-old clarinet phenomenon from Great Britain, performed 45 minutes of strictly memorized music.”
Most of the alumni and students from SAU wanted to take part in the event for the classes. The symposium offered master classes and lectures taught by leading orchestral clarinetists and highly respected college educators.
Al Torres, a May 2008 graduate of SAU, attended master classes and also got the honor of performing at the symposium. Originally from Corrigan, Texas, Torres is currently the junior high band director at Prairiland High School in Pattonville, Texas. Prairiland High school made it possible for Torres to attend the symposium to further his musical education.
The other SAU alumni and students who participated in the trip were: Belyn Fowler, a senior from Mt. Vernon, Texas; Rachel Karger, a senior from Atlanta, Texas; Manchusa Loungsangroong, a senior from Bangkok, Thailand; Heather Townson, a senior from Haltom City, Texas; and Jennifer Turner, a May 2009 graduate of SAU. Turner is originally from Texarkana, Ark., and is now the band director at Sulphur Springs Middle School in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
The trip was made possible by funding from SAU’s music department, and the College of Liberal and Performing Arts. “We really would like to thank everyone that made it possible for us to attend. One of the best things about the trip was that we were able to make it at virtually no cost to the students and alumni,” Mickey said.
For more information on SAU bands, contact Mickey at 870-235-4253 or by e-mail at skmickey@saumag.edu.
