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 experiencespans 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, RolloDilworth, WilliamL.Dawson, andAndreJ.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 LouisianaatLafayette,aMasterofMusicdegreeinChoralConductingfromtheUniversityofOklahoma,and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting (Choral), also from the University of Oklahoma. His interdisciplinaryvitaehasallowedhimtofunctioninseveralcapacitiesasachoralclinicianandconsultant, 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. LeeCookeand McFarlinUMC,Norman Oklahomawith Dr.Richard Zielinski. Hismusical craftsmanship is steeped in decades of performance wisdom imparted during conducting masterclasses withProf.JerryMcCoy(choral)andDr.FrankTicheli(instrumental)..Hisconductingstyleischaracterizedby precision, passion, and a deep understanding of the music, aiming for audience edification and entertainment.
BeforehisappointmentatLangstonUniversity,Dr.EzeakachamostrecentlyservedasAssistantConductor 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 NationalGuard.InDr.Ezeakacha’slifeofservice,hehasbeenatwo-timeArmyLeadershipAwardrecipient, anOutstandingServiceMemberawardee,andhasearnedmilitarycertificationsinMaintenanceOrientation andtheArmyQuartermasterCorps.Outsideofallacademic,artisticandcommunityserviceengagements, Dr. Ezeakachaenjoysqualityfamilytimewithhiswife,Amaka, andchildren,OdiraaandSinobi.
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 Alto
Charlton, Lorrie (1)
Eweka, Livi (1)
James, Cara (1)
Jones, Riley (1)
King, Kayla (1)
Lloyd, Kierha (1)
Tipton, Leah (1)
Baldwin, Alfred (1)
Guin, Makeal (1)
Manning, Norris (1)
White, Quency (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)
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)
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)
Tenor Bass
Bilberry, Kaleb (2)
Gibbs, Joel (2)
Lewis, Gerard (2)
Williams, Quanny (2)
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.
Welcome
PROGRAM
❖ LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR
Dr. Terry Spigner
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 (Arranged)
Making A Way (Arranged)
❖ DISHON WILLIAMS | Tenor
Canciones Clasicas Espansolas Fernando J. Obradors
▪ Del cabello más sutil
▪ ¿Corazón, porqué pasáis
Bewilderment
Florence B. Price
❖ MILLWOOD FALCON CHORALE | Millwood High School
I’ll Go All the Way
Awesome
Karen Washington and the KCMC Kidz Khoir
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
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Let The River Run
Cara James, soprano
William L. Dawson
words & music by Carly Simon | arr. by Craig Hella Johnson
Hallelujah, from “The Cry of Jeremiah” Rosephanye Powell
Lorrie Charlton, solo
Announcements
Dear Langston (Alma Mater)
Benediction
LU Alumni, LU Faculty and Staff, LU Concert Choir
Dr. Terry Spigner
Samuel Levi Sadler
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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