LU Fall 2024 Concert

Ashton Denzel Jones D I R E C TO R

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 AC C O M PA N I S T

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

SOPRANO 2 Maleah Buchanan Chaya Jones Jayla Wilson Jahree Sadler Alanna Hill Maileah Patrick Kierha Lloyd Eleisha Rhone

ALTO 1 ALTO 2 Dejanique Lambeth BreQuel Grisby Ariana Bradley Tayren James Brooklyn Noiel Rebecca Gambor Amalia Davis Valerie Reed Yalonee McCloud Takyia Jones-Lott Janelle Harbert Hannah Kelley Jaelyn Dailey Maileah Patrick Anaya casby

TENOR 1 Quency White Ashton Bacy Joel Gibbs Tytus Tisdale Trentis Parker Jamal Kemp Gerald Frederick

TENOR 2 Tyrece Williams Rich Charlemagne Martin Morales Kaleb Bilberry Mario Absolue Lamarcus PLatt Jude Papoloute

BASS 1 BASS 2 Josiah Billingslea Uri Butler Christian Macklin Adam Alexandre Jasiri Grimes Matthew Brooks Xzavier Nevels D’Mandre McCall Kham Driver Da’koryian Sillemon Joseph Thomas Ronald Hardeman

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

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