Spring 2026 Choir Concert Program

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DR. FRANKLIN FONDJO-FOTOU, ACTING DEAN DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC DR. JONATHON ALLEN, CHAIRMAN

Let The River Run A SPRING CHORAL CONCERT featuring

Langston University Concert Choir Dr. Chukwuebuka G. Ezeakacha|DIRECTOR OF CHORAL ACTIVITIES and

Prof. Meichen Hou Hughbanks|COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

with performances by

The Adult Choir St. John Missionary Baptist Church, OKC|DR. TERRY SPIGNER, Director and

Millwood Falcon Chorale Millwood Arts Academy & Millwood High School|MR. D’MANDRE MCCALL, Director and solo guest performance by

Mr. Dishon Williams Tenor

April 23rd St. John Missionary Baptist Church, OKC 6:00 PM

Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha M.S., D.M.A. is a Nigerian-American choral artist: a creative conductor, composer, vocalist, and educator. His performance experience spans over two decades across a wide range of styles and genres. Throughout his musicianship, he has conducted works by notable composers such as Josquin des Prez, Palestrina, William Byrd, Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, as well as contemporary composers such as Ola Gjeilo, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, Z. Randall Stroope, Rosephanye Powell, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Daniel Elder, Michael J. Barrett, George Walker, Moses Hogan, Rollo Dilworth, William L. Dawson, and Andre J. Thomas.

Dr. Ezeakacha's academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria, a Master of Science degree in Communication from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting (Choral), also from the University of Oklahoma. His interdisciplinary vitae has allowed him to function in several capacities as a choral clinician and consultant, guest conductor and adjudicator, and choral concert facilitator and director in Nigeria, West Africa, and internationally.

Dr. Ezeakacha studied choral conducting briefly with Dr. William Plummer at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and extensively with Dr. David Howard and Prof. Richard Zielinski at the University of Oklahoma.

He also studied instrumental conducting briefly with Dr. Shanti Simon and has received lessons in vocal performance with Prof. Shawn Roy (UL Lafayette) and Dr. Joel Burcham (OU Norman). Dr. Ezeakacha’s growth as a choral director is further strengthened by his choral internships at Asbury UMC, Lafayette, Louisiana with Dr. Lee Cooke and McFarlin UMC, Norman Oklahoma with Dr. Richard Zielinski. His musical craftsmanship is steeped in decades of performance wisdom imparted during conducting masterclasses with Prof. Jerry McCoy (choral) and Dr. Frank Ticheli (instrumental).. His conducting style is characterized by precision, passion, and a deep understanding of the music, aiming for audience edification and entertainment.

Before his appointment at Langston University, Dr. Ezeakacha most recently served as Assistant Conductor for the OU Glee Club and OU Vox Lyrica between August 2021 and May 2023, and from August 2022 to December 2024, he was the Choir Director at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Oklahoma City. In his continuous life of service, Dr. Ezeakacha is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) currently at the rank of Sargeant (SGT) with the 903rd Quartermaster Platoon of the 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard. In Dr. Ezeakacha’s life of service, he has been a two-time Army Leadership Award recipient, an Outstanding Service Member awardee, and has earned military certifications in Maintenance Orientation and the Army Quartermaster Corps. Outside of all academic, artistic and community service engagements, Dr. Ezeakacha enjoys quality family time with his wife, Amaka, and children, Odiraa and Sinobi.

Meichen Hou Hughbanks, M.M. is an accomplished pianist and educator currently serving as a full-time piano instructor and accompanist at Langston University. She has built a distinguished career as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and teacher, earning recognition both in China and the United States.

Born and raised in China, Meichen began playing the piano at the age of four and has been performing on stage since the age of six.

Her impressive achievements include winning 1st prize at the 2015 Hong Kong International Piano Invitation Competition and the 2015 International Keyboard Odyssiad & Festival in the China Division. Additionally, she was the alternative winner of the 2016 Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (OMTA) Collegiate Piano Competition and received third prize in the 2016 Young Artist Performance Competition in Oklahoma.

Meichen is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (OMTA), and the Central Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (COMTA), where she has been a member since 2016. She also joined the Oklahoma City Pianist Club in 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Management in Accounting from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry in China and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Central Oklahoma. Through her dynamic teaching and performance career, Meichen Hou Hughbanks continues to inspire and cultivate a love of music in both her students and audiences.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR SPRING 2026 Soprano Charlton, Lorrie (1) Eweka, Livi (1) James, Cara (1) Jones, Riley (1) King, Kayla (1) Lloyd, Kierha (1) Tipton, Leah (1)

Bradshaw, Kayla (2) Chery, Daiana (2) Goodrum, Laci (2) Kabba, Cierrah (2) Kelley, Hannah (2) Mccoy, Alaiza (2) Moncur, America (2) Morales Lopez, Janely (2) Patrick, Maileah (2)

Alto Anikulapo, Zomari (1) Bain, Shantrel (1) Dailey, Jaelyn (1) Davis, Amalia (1) Harbert, Janelle (1) Knowles, Genisis (1) Reed, Valerie (1) Sykes, Alaceya (1) Walker, Yasharia (1)

Tenor Baldwin, Alfred (1) Guin, Makeal (1) Manning, Norris (1) White, Quency (1)

Bilberry, Kaleb (2) Gibbs, Joel (2) Lewis, Gerard (2) Williams, Quanny (2)

Bain, Samiyah (2) Caldwell, Gabrielle (2) Craig, Sanaya (2) Dixon, Aniya (2) Gambor, Rebecca (2) Franklin, Shania (2) James, Tayren (2) Jones, Reygann (2) Matthews, Mikahya (2) Parrish, Markayla (2) Whiting, Ta'Najah (2) Bass

Dillard, Xzavian (1) Jones, Jeramiah (1) Macklin, Chris (1)

Charlot, Rickcardo (2) Henderson, Tyren (2) Lightbourn, Cjay (2) Viney, Bez (2) Wells, Antwon (2)

Terry Spigner, Ph.D. is one of seven siblings, the only son of Roscoe and Nadine (Burkhalter) Spigner, and was educated in the Oklahoma City public school system. A proud 1973 graduate of Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Dr. Spigner began his professional career by earning a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing in 1977 from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in clinical Audiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1980, and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1986. In 1992 he earned his Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech/Language Pathology) from Howard University in Washington, D.C. When it became clear to him that the life of a clinician was not the career he wanted it was the guidance of his mentor, Dr Betty G. Mason, who recommended he take a job as a classroom teacher at Northeast High School for “one year”. That decision led to a 44-year and counting career in education!

Dr. Spigner served as a Special Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. He conducted monitoring compliance reviews of public agencies in accordance with state of Oklahoma (SDE) and the Department of Special Education Services (SDE-SES), provided guidance for monitoring and standard operating procedures. Dr Spigner worked at Langston University as an Assistant to the Dean and Director of Student Teaching and Residency training. While at Langston he assisted in program and curriculum development, developed documentation for compliance with regional, national certification boards, and NCATE Accreditation. He also developed and supervised the student teaching program; maintained appropriate university supervision for both student teaching and residency programs, including documentation and facilitation of state requirements for student certification and licensure.

Dr. Spigner is a former Director of Special Education/Director of Support Services, Oklahoma City Public Schools, where he administered expenditure balances (planning, budgeting, and monitoring), evaluated and approval of district plans and budget development. He also provided on-going assistance to principals and school administrators to promote compliance and program effectiveness. Additionally, he conducted workshops and meetings with parents, professionals, provided information, and interpretation of rules and regulation at the state and local level. He also administered the Safe and Drug Free Schools project, Violence Prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, and gifted student programs. Dr. Spigner is most proud of his thirty plus years as a classroom teacher and university professor. He has taught in the Oklahoma City Public Schools, Arlington, Virginia public schools, the historic Langston University, and a visiting Professor for Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Spigner was recently inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame. Dr. Spigner has a long history of service to the community. He has served as a national grant reviewer for multiple agencies including AmeriCorps, the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with mental illness (PAMI), and the agency for missing and runaway children. He previously served as member of Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Disability Law Center. Dr. Spigner is a charter member, Assistant Director, and member of the Board of Directors for the internationally acclaimed Ambassadors Concert Choir. Since 1968, Dr. Spigner has been a member and currently Minister of Fine Arts for the St John Missionary Baptist Church.

Dishon Williams M.M. is a tenor from the sunny islands of Nassau, Bahamas. Currently, he holds a Master of Music in vocal performance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he studied with Dr. Lesley Friend. Dishon has a love of all things music, which was evident in his undergraduate studies, where he studied voice with Erica Thomas and saxophone performance with Dr. Jonathon Allen. Dishon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (B.A. Mus. Ed.) with Suma Cum Laude honors from Langston University, with a double concentration in instrumental and vocal music.

While at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, he performed with the Southwestern Singers and Southwestern Oklahoma State Opera. In Spring 2025, Mr. Williams served as a conductor for Southwestern Singers at the winter concert. Dishon has sung music from the musical Ragtime and The Witches of Eastwick. He also sang the lead role of Frederic in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Mr. Williams also sang in the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OKMEA) collegiate honor chorus, performing works by W.A. Mozart and J.S. Bach.

Dishon has also performed as a vocal soloist at The Cimarron Opera Company's 54th and 56th annual festival of spirituals (2024 and 2026). During Dishon's tenure at Langston University, he appeared as a soloist with the Langston University Concert Choir during its 2022 Fall concert and conducted the chorus on numerous occasions. Currently, Dishon is performing and sharing his talents around Oklahoma City as he sings with the Ambassador Concert Choir.

Mr. Williams became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in the Spring of 2023, and he continues to uphold the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and service. Dishon embraces faith as a guiding light and believes that with faith and diligence, the impossible becomes possible

D’Mandre McCall is a first-year music educator and minister whose work centers on excellence, expression, and impact. As Choir Director at Millwood Arts Academy and Millwood High School, he leads students in developing both their musical skill and artistic voice.

A Spring 2025 graduate of Langston University with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Education, he also serves as Minister of Music at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, under the leadership of Dr. Terry L. Buxton, Sr..

Specializing in gospel and choral works, his passion for music is rooted in its ability to connect, uplift, and transform lives.

PROGRAM Welcome

Dr. Terry Spigner

❖ LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR Five Hebrew Love Songs Eric Whitacre Leonard Chow, violin Makeal Guin, tambourine | Zomari Anikulapo, speaker | Cara James, solo I. Temuná | II. Kalá kallá | III. Laróv | IV. Ézye shéleg! | V. Rakút ❖ THE ADULT CHOIR | St. John Missionary Baptist Church Now I’m On My Way Making A Way ❖ DISHON WILLIAMS | Tenor Canciones Clasicas Espansolas ▪ Del cabello más sutil ▪ ¿Corazón, porqué pasáis Bewilderment

(Arranged) (Arranged)

Fernando J. Obradors Florence B. Price

❖ MILLWOOD FALCON CHORALE | Millwood High School I’ll Go All the Way Karen Washington and the KCMC Kidz Khoir Awesome Charles Jenkins Offering (to support the Langston University Concert Choir) Recognition of LU Concert Choir Graduating Seniors ❖ LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR You’ll Never Walk Alone lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (with Climb Ev’ry Mountain) music by Richard Rodgers | arr. by Mark Hayes Cara James, soprano Soon Ah Will Be Done William L. Dawson Let The River Run

words & music by Carly Simon | arr. by Craig Hella Johnson

Hallelujah, from “The Cry of Jeremiah” Lorrie Charlton, solo Announcements

Rosephanye Powell Dr. Terry Spigner

Dear Langston (Alma Mater) Samuel Levi Sadler LU Alumni, LU Faculty and Staff, LU Concert Choir Benediction Dr. M.L. Jemison Please scan the QR code to make a donation towards supporting the Concert Choir Program of Langston University.

Acknowledgement/Special Thanks Dr. M.L. Jemison Senior Pastor, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, OKC Mrs. Jacqueline Jemison First Lady, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, OKC Dr. Jonathon Allen Music Department Chair Dr. Franklin Fondjo-Fotou Acting Dean of School of Arts and Sciences Dr. Alonzo Peterson Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson Langston University President

Alma Mater

Dear Langston Words By Samuel Sadler Music By F.J. Work First Verse High on a throne with royal mien, Our hope and our mother stand.

All gaze with pride upon the scene High o’er the silv’ry strand; All gaze with pride upon the scene Where our hope and our mother stand.

Chorus Dear Langston, Dear Langston, Thy sons and daughters brave Will strive on with courage Their honored shrine to save.

With a “Sis! Boom! Bah!” and a “Hip! Hurrah!” with a “Hip-hur-rah!”

We rally to Langston, Dear Langston, to thee.

Second Verse If ever man should dare bring low Thy blazoned banner high, We’ll battle with the vicious foe and for thy honor die.

We’ll strive and overcome the foe, or for thy honor die

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Scan this QR code and select LU Choir as your fund choice.