Spring Concert 2025 Program

spring band concert 2025 Featuring the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Jazz Band

thursday, april 24 7:00p m • i.w. yo u n g au d ito r i u m

Welcome Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Langston University Department of Music, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to our annual Spring Band Concert. Tonight, we embark on a musical journey that celebrates the incredible talent, dedication, and artistry of our student musicians and faculty.

We are especially honored to welcome all family members, friends, and alumni joining us this evening. Your unwavering support plays a vital role in the success and growth of our students, and we are deeply grateful for your continued encouragement.

This evening’s concert features performances by the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Jazz Band—each ensemble bringing their unique voice and passion to the stage. From stirring symphonic works to the vibrant rhythms of jazz, every note you hear tonight reflects the heart and soul of our musical community.

As we gather in this shared space of creativity and inspiration, may the music uplift your spirits, stir your hearts, and unite us in harmony.

I would like to express sincere thanks to our University President, Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, and the President’s Office for their enduring commitment and support to Dear Langston and the Department of Music. Special appreciation also goes to Vice President Dr. Alonzo Peterson for his guidance and continued support. A Special thanks to Dr. John Coleman, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, for his continued support and advocacy for the arts. I also wish to thank our exceptional music faculty, the Office of Public Relations, and the many departments and individuals across campus who helped bring this concert to life.

Thank you once again for being here with us. Enjoy the concert!

Warm regards,

Dr. Jonathon Allen Chair, Department of Music Langston University

Dr. Jonathon Allen is a dynamic leader in the world of music education, currently serving as the Chairman of the Music Department and Assistant Director of Bands at Langston University since 2018. With a passion for excellence and a dedication to nurturing talent, Dr. Allen has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enriching the music department’s offerings and engaging all stakeholders.

One of Dr. Allen’s most notable accomplishments is the revitalization of the Wind Ensemble within the Department of Music, breathing new life into a program that had been dormant for many years. Through his leadership, he has elevated the caliber of musicianship among his instrumental music students, instilling a culture of excellence and dedication. In addition to revitalizing the concert band, Dr. Allen has introduced and directed various chamber ensembles, including the Saxophone Ensemble and Woodwind Ensemble, providing students with diverse opportunities for musical growth and collaboration. Through these chamber ensembles, students benefit from Dr. Allen’s specialized knowledge and guidance, honing their skills on woodwind instruments and exploring the intricacies of ensemble performance.

Dr. Jonathon Allen

Under Dr. Allen’s tutelage, several students have achieved remarkable success, including fifteen who were selected to participate in the prestigious HBCU National Band and Orchestra Directors Consortium in Atlanta, GA, this past March. This achievement not only highlights the talent of Langston University’s students but also reflects Dr. Allen’s commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for their professional development.

Through his leadership and passion for music education, Dr. Jonathon Allen continues to make a profound impact at Langston University, transcending boundaries and creating lasting opportunities for students to excel and thrive in the professional world of music.

Professor Brandon Stevenson stands as a beacon of musical excellence within the esteemed Langston University Music Department. Since joining in 2021, his youthful enthusiasm and unwavering dedication have propelled him to the forefront of music education. A proud alumnus of Langston University, Professor Stevenson harnesses his alma mater’s legacy to inspire and empower students on their educational journey. At the core of Professor Stevenson’s pedagogical philosophy lies a profound belief in the intrinsic value of music education. Whether students aspire to pursue a career in music or not, he advocates for a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the musical arts. Through his guidance, students are encouraged to delve into the rich tapestry of music, cultivating a lifelong passion for the subject.

Professor Stevenson’s academic journey culminated in the attainment of a Master of Music in Music Education from the esteemed University of Central Oklahoma. Armed with this advanced degree, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, enriching the educational experience of his students.

Prof. Brandon Stevenson

Throughout his tenure at Langston University, Professor Stevenson’s motivation and dedication have reverberated through the halls of the music department. Each day, he tirelessly works to nurture the talents of young musicians, fostering their growth and development with unwavering commitment. As a mentor and educator, Professor Stevenson continues to leave an indelible mark on the next generation of musical virtuosos, shaping the future of the discipline with passion and dedication.

Professor Mark Gordon has made a remarkable impact as the Director of Bands at Langston University since 2018. Starting with a modest group of 45, his dedication and leadership have grown the band program to an impressive 240 members. Under his directorship, the jazz band, affectionately known as “Pride Jazz,” has seen incredible growth in just four years.

Most notably, the Jazz band participated in a city- wide tour through Houston TX. During this tour, several community members as well as both high school and collegiate students were captivated by the harmonious sounds of the ensemble. His commitment to excellence has been recognized with an Honorary Doctorate from the Christian Leadership Academy in Tomball, Texas. As he approaches the completion of his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Instruction at North Central University this December, Professor Gordon’s passion for both music and education continues to inspire and elevate the musical landscape at Langston University.

Prof. Mark Gordon

Program Langston University Concert Band- Prof. Brandon Stevenson, Conductor A Remembrance- Elliot Del Borgo TrauerSinfonie- Erik Leidzen Memories of a Master- James Sudduth

Langston University Wind Ensemble- Dr. Jonathon Allen, Conductor B.B & C.F March- James Ord Humme A Song For Tomorrow- Kevin Day Midnight Ride- Rossano Galante Big City Lights- Marie A.Douglas

Langston University Brass Ensemble- Prof. Mark Gordon, Conductor Sonata from Die Bankelsangerlieder- Anonymous Christ The Lord is Risen Today- Lyra Davidica, Arranged by: Jack Gale

Langston University Jazz Band “P-Jazz”- Prof. Mark Gordon, Conductor Kashmere- Written by: Conrad Johnson, Arranged by: Conrad Johnson Stolen Moments -Written by: Oliver Nelson, Arranged by: Paul Jennings The Nearness of You- Words by: Ned Washington, Music by: Hoagy Carmichael, Arranged by: Rick Stitxel My Favorite Things- lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Music by: Richard Rogers Arranged by: Michele Ferna’dez

Concert Band

PERCUSSION

Jalayah Marshall Freshman Accounting Lake Charles, LA Alfred Baldwin Freshman Agriculture Business Enid, OK Matthew Brooks Freshman Criminal Justice Memphis, TN Diamond McIntyre Junior Psychology Dallas, TX Shakorie Wesley Freshman Criminal Justice Dallas, TX

FLUTE Kelsi Amaya Freshman Criminal Justice Houston, TX Janiah Barber Freshman Nursing Spencer, OK Anginique Sears Freshman Chemistry Nassau, Bahamas Sydnie Mason-Brye Freshman Nursing Omaha, NE Jayayla Emetu Freshman Psychology Orange, TX Taylor Thomas Freshman Animal Science Dallas, TX Reanne Johnson Junior Nursing Nassau, Bahamas

CLARINET Samiyah Bain Freshman Biology Nassau, Bahamas Kaleona Clark Freshman Business Administration Oklahoma City, OK Sanaya Craig Freshman Chemistry Chicago, IL Savannah Haynes Junior Nursing/Health Administration Wichita, KS Azaria Wallace Junior Accounting Nassau, Bahamas Darriel Wood Junior Engineering Nassau, Bahamas Brianne Fowler Junior Biochemistry Nassau, Bahamas Diana Chery Freshman Agricultural Science Nassau, Bahamas Arianna White Freshman Nursing Houston, TX Laila Purvey Freshman Psychology Oklahoma City, OK

SAXOPHONE Chase Campbell Freshman Anthony Henry Freshman Lilian Harris Freshman Stephen Dean Freshman Jada Burton Freshman Raynell Smith Freshman

Biology Lake Charles, LA Broadcast Journalism Oklahoma City, OK Elementary Education Dewey, OK Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Psychology Tulsa, OK Nursing Nassau, Bahamas

TRUMPET Vanity Thompson Sophmore Anaya Cook Junior Jerimiah Penn Freshman Nicklaus Davis-Booker Freshman Shatino Toney Freshman Tajhe Brennen Freshman Tevin Rahming Freshman Justin Auguste Sophmore Brian Gutierrez Sophmore Kamori Rolle Freshman Olando Ferguson Freshman Christorf Adderley Freshman

Psychology Chicago,IL Health, Physical Education, Recreation Dallas, TX Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Electrical Engineering Tulsa, OK Corrections Nassau, Bahamas Accounting Nassau, Bahamas Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Finance Nassau, Bahamas Biology Fort Worth, TX Engineering Nassau, Bahamas Computer Aided Drafting Exuma, Bahamas Business Management Nassau, Bahamas

FRENCH HORN Mark Pedican Freshman De’Ano Flowers Freshman Sebastion Moreno Freshman Sharano Hanna Freshman

Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Animal Science Houston, TX Business Nassau, Bahamas

TROMBONE Yonick Charlton Junior Accounting Exuma, Bahamas Aretha Culmer Freshman Animal Science Eleuthera, Bahamas Travez Neymour Freshman Computer Aided Drafting Exuma,Bahamas BreAsia Spears Freshman Corrections Houston, TX Johnathan Rolle Freshman Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Laila Rashad Freshman Business Oklahoma City, OK Mekhi Thomas Freshman Music Education Lake Charles, LA Kylise Watt Freshman Agricultural Animal Science Fort Worth, TX Athaloskan Dieuveille Sophmore Engineering Fort Lauderdale, FL Eryn Luster Sophmore Animal Science Dallas, TX K’Vin Stuart Freshman Business Nassau, Bahamas

BARITONE Justin Price Jabez Bain

Freshman Sophmore

Computer Science Business Management

Nassau, Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas

TUBA Okello Lopai Freshman Biology Atlanta,GA Deangello Gayle Freshman Graphic Design Nassau, Bahamas Jarrius Joseph Freshman Technology Lake Charles, LA Malachi Cameau Junior Business Management Houston,TX

Wind Ensemble

FLUTE

Anthony Fuentes Junior Carmen Laguna Junior Layla Rodriguez Freshman Trinity Foster Senior Jaadin Hudson Freshman

Engineering Technology Dallas, TX Business Management Dallas, TX Nursing Dallas, TX Corrections/Criminal Justice Houston, TX Music Education Jackson, MS

OBOE Christopher Oglesby

Music Education

Sophomore

Oklahoma City, OK

CLARINET

Baleigh Summers Janelle Ferguson Junior Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Chamiya Payne Freshman Biology Tulsa,OK Arianna White Freshman Nursing Houston, TX Elnise Johnson Junior Health Administration Nassau,Bahamas Sanaya Craig Freshman Chemistry Chicago, IL Kourtney Jackson Senior Corrections/Criminal Justice Cedar Hill, TX BASS CLARINET Amalia Davis

Sophmore

Music Education

Oklahoma City, OK

CONTRABASS CLARINET Alaiza McCoy

Sophomore

Nursing

Kansas City, KS

CONTRA ALTO CLARINET Alexandria Forbes Junior Psychology Nassau, Bahamas

ALTO SAXOPHONE Camillo Sanchez Genesis Casey A’Jalyn Allen Dermany Malbrough Arnaldo Lightbourne Jr

Junior Sophmore Junior Freshman Freshman

Business Administration Music education Broadcast journalism Psychology Technology

Orange, TX Auburn, AL Augusta, GA Lake Charles, LA Nassau, Bahamas

Broadcast journalsim

Las Vegas, NV

TENOR SAXOPHONE Damien Alexander

Senior

BARITONE SAXOPHONE Kaleb Bilberry

Senior

Vocal and Business Man

Kansas City, KS

TRUMPET

Solomon Williams Sophomore Jerimiah Penn Freshman Rishea Spence Senior Dayra Zeleya Sophomore Mikahya Matthews Sophmore Zedekiah Hill Sophomore

Music Education Tulsa, OK Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Nursing Dallas, TX Music Education Tulsa, OK Computer Science Cedar Hill, TX

HORN James Fowler Junior Music Education Dallas, TX Xavier Jones Junior Music Education Oklahoma City, OK Collin Henley Junior Accounting Dallas, TX Kayla Jackson Senior Dallas, TX Trombone Colby Turner Junior Music Education Houston, TX Quentrel Tanxkley Junior Music Education Fort Worth, TX Valerie Reed Sophomore Biology Dallas, TX Lelah Townend Freshman Psychology Houston,TX Nakeeah Thompson Freshman Animal science Fort Worth TX Isaiah Monk Senior Computer Science Maize, KS

EUPHONIUM Clement Cash Freshmen Tierra Washington Senior Onaydi Zeleya Senior

Music Education Criminal Justice Business Management

Nassau, Bahamas Dallas, TX Dallas, TX

TUBA Mateo Storr Junior Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Ben Georges Freshman Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Mason Givens Sophomore Psychology Little Rock, AR

PERCUSSION Gary Miller III Junior Music Education Houston, TX Kierah Lloyd Freshman Public Health Chicago, IL Arrin Moore Freshman Music Education Oklahoma City, OK Essien Terrell Freshmen Elementary Education Lithonia,GA Shamar Gongara Senior Music Education Houston TX Kaleb McKinzie Junior Music Education Fort Worth, TX Reygann Jones Freshman Animal Science Edmond, OK Mario Absolue Freshmen Music Education Nassau, Bahamas

Jazz Band

SAXOPHONES Sierra Williams Senior Nursing Arlington, TX Jaylon Smith Senior Music Education/Business Management Houston, TX Stania Webb Freshman Music Education Cat Island, Bahamas Jahamal Brown Junior Biology Nassau, Bahamas Christopher Oglesby Sophmore Music Education Oklahoma City, OK Antwon Wells Freshman Electrical Engineering Nassau, Bahamas Chase Campbell Freshman Biology Lake Charles, LA Kaori Dean Freshman Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Arnaldo Lightbourne Freshman Technology Nassau, Bahamas TRUMPET

Reese Brown Senior Technology Oklahoma City, OK Tyronne Lo’Cure Freshman Computer Science New Orleans, LA Jerimiah Penn Freshman Music Education Naussau, Bahamas Bernard Rolle Sophmore Music Education Naussau, Bahamas Solomon Williams Senior Music Education Tulsa, OK Gerard Lewis Sophmore Broadcast Journalism Naussau, Bahamas Qndell Perkins Freshman Music Education Oklahoma City, OK Ronald Hardeman Sophomore Pychology Dallas, TX DeShun Pennington Senior Technology Little Rock, AR De’ano Flowers Freshman Music Education Nassau, Bahamas TROMBONES Joshua Henderson Sophomore Criminal Justice, Corrections, and Sociology Houston, TX Uri Butler Senior Broadcast Journalism Naussau, Bahamas Angelo Pratt Sophmore Computer science Naussau, Bahamas Zyron Miller Freshman Biology Houston, TX Jamien Bilbo Freshman Engineering Technology Lake Charles, LA Mekhi Thomas Freshman Music Education Lake Charles, LA Quen”Trel Tankxley Junior Music Education Fort Worth, TX Colby Turner J unior Music Education Houston, TX RHYTHM SECTION

Milton Dorsett Freshman Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Cameron Rivas Senior Computer Science Houston, TX Jamal Kemp Freshman Music Education Nassau, Bahamas Skevens Octeus Freshman Business Administration Nassau, Bahamas Bernard Hield Freshman Music Education Abaco, Bahamas Yohanan Louis Freshman Computer Science Nassau, Bahamas Freshman

VOCAL

Amalia Davis Sophmore Makayla King sophmore

Music Education Oklahoma City, OK Music Education Nassau, Bahamas

Music Faculty Dr. Jonathon Allen: Music Department Chairman/ Assistant Director of Bands Prof. Mark Gordon: Director of Bands Prof. Brandon Stevenson: Assistant Director of Bands Dr. Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha: Director of Choral Activities Prof. Erica Thomas: Adjunct Voice Instructor Prof. Meichen Hughbanks: Piano Accompanist/ Instructor Prof. Lisa Hoel: Adjunct Piano Instructor Prof. Eric Upchurch: Adjunct Trumpet Instructor Prof. Jason Potts: Adjunct Low Brass Instructor Prof. Mark Giammario: Adjunct Percussion Instructor Prof. Elaine Bastos: Adjunct String Instructor

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.

spring band concert 2025