Ashton Denzel Jones DIRECTOR
Ashton Denzel Jones is a lyric baritone, choral conductor, organist, and pianist hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma. His performance career includes engagements with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in Terrance Blanchard’s Champion, the Cimarron Opera Company, the Varna Opera in Bulgaria, Manhattan School of Music Opera, and Texas Southern University Opera. Jones’ operatic roles include Dr. Gregg in Douglas Moore’s Gallantry, Masetto in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Bluff in Die Schauspieldirektor, and Monsieur Pandolf in Massenet’s Cendrillon. He has also performed as a soloist with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Signature Symphony, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Missouri (Kansas City) Choral Union, interpreting works such as Handel’s Messiah and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs.
In addition to his performance career, Jones is dedicated to teaching applied voice. He has taught at both the high school and collegiate levels since 2018, with former students currently studying at institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, Wichita State University, and the University of Kansas. He also serves as Assistant Conductor/Director of the COGIC Chorale for the International Church of God in Christ.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts in vocal Performance with a minor in piano from Texas Southern University, a Master of Music in classical voice from the Manhattan School of Music and will confer his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in vocal performance with a cognate in choral conducting from the University of Missouri (Kansas City) in May of 2025. His advanced studies in choral conducting were shaped by mentorship from Dr. Brandon Boyd, Dr. Tony McNeill, and Dr. McKenna Stenson.
Jones is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), and previously the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA). He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Through his work as both a performer and educator, Jones continues to inspire the next generation of musicians while contributing to the artistic landscape with his exceptional vocal and conducting talents.
Meichen Hou Hughbanks ACCOMPANIST
Meichen Hou Hughbanks was born and raised in China. At the age of four, Meichen began playing piano and has been playing on stage ever since she was six. She was the 1st prize winner of both 2015 Hong Kong International Piano Invitation Competition and 2015 International Keyboard Odyssiad & Festivalin China Division. She was also the alternative winner of 2016 OMTA Collegiate Piano Competition. She has built a solid reputation as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and piano instructor in both China and the United States.
Meichen has a Bachelor of Management in Accounting from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Central Oklahoma. Mrs. Hughbanks has served as piano faculty in Northwestern Oklahoma State University from 2018 to 2020. She has also served as the pianist at St. David’s ever since 2018. Meichen Hughbanks is currently working as a full-time piano instructor and piano accompanist at Langston University, and she has a well-established private piano studio in Edmond.
Concert Program
I.
Glorious Everlasting.............................................................................................Thomas Cousins
Non Nobis Domine...........................................................................................Rosephanye Powell
Alleluia.....................................................................................................................Ralph Manuel
II.
Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley......................................................................Stanley Thurston
Soloist: D’Mandre McCall, bass-baritone
Great Day.................................................................................................................Moses Hogan
Uri Butler, baritone
D’Mandre McCall, student director
Give me a clean heart................................................................................................Stacey Gibbs
Elisha Rhone, soprano
III.
Liebst du um Schönheit..........................................................................................Clara Schuman
Set me as a seal.......................................................................................................Rene Clausen
Russian Picnic.........................................................................................................Harvey Enders
Langston University Concert Chorale
IV.
In silent night......................................................................................................Mitchell Southall
Mary had a baby.......................................................................................................Roland Carter
Makayla King, soprano
V.
Dance ..................................................................................................................Robert T. Gibson
Langston University Alma Mater...............................................................................Samuel Sadler
Behold Zion.........................................................................................................Arr. Ashton Jones
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR E-BOARD
D’Mandre McCall Student Director, Special Events
Jeremiah T. Williams President
Jahree Sadler Vice President
Jayla Wilson Secretary
Christian Macklin Chaplain
Brooklyn Noiel Wardrobe
Dejanique Lambeth Wardrobe
Quency White Wardrobe
Amalia Davis Social Media/Public Relations
Makayla King Social Media/Public Relations
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
Makayla King Soprano Section Leader
Kierha Lloyd Soprano Section Leader
Tayren James Alto Section Leader
Janelle Harbert Alto Section Leader
Ashton Bacy Jr. Tenor Section Leader
Richemagne Charlemagne Tenor Section Leader
D’Mandre McCall Bass Section Leader
Josiah Billingslea Bass Section Leader
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR ROSTER
Fall 2024
SOPRANO 1
Cierra Kabba
Nadia McGahee
Kayla King
Eliesha Rhone
Aseanti Daniels
Brianna Campbell
Lasauni Scott
Leah Tipton
ALTO 1
Dejanique Lambeth
Ariana Bradley
Brooklyn Noiel
Amalia Davis
Yalonee McCloud
Janelle Harbert
Jaelyn Dailey
Maileah Patrick
Anaya casby
TENOR 1
Quency White
Ashton Bacy
Joel Gibbs
Tytus Tisdale
Trentis Parker
Jamal Kemp
Gerald Frederick
BASS 1
Josiah Billingslea
Christian Macklin
Jasiri Grimes
Xzavier Nevels
Kham Driver
Joseph Thomas
Ronald Hardeman
SOPRANO 2
Maleah Buchanan
Chaya Jones
Jayla Wilson
Jahree Sadler
Alanna Hill
Maileah Patrick
Kierha Lloyd
Eleisha Rhone
ALTO 2
BreQuel Grisby
Tayren James
Rebecca Gambor
Valerie Reed
Takyia Jones-Lott
Hannah Kelley
TENOR 2
Tyrece Williams
Rich Charlemagne
Martin Morales
Kaleb Bilberry
Mario Absolue
Lamarcus PLatt
Jude Papoloute
BASS 2
Uri Butler
Adam Alexandre
Matthew Brooks
D’Mandre McCall
Da’koryian Sillemon
Acknowledgments/Special Thanks
Dr. Jonathon Allen Music Department Chair
Dr. John Coleman
Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson Langston University President
Dr. Alonzo Peterson Vice President of Academic Affairs
Mrs. Elaine Preston Alexander University Events Office of Public Relations
