Spring Percussion Concert
Music Desegregation
Dr. Justin Bunting, director
Chris Thompson, guest artist
Cassie Bunting, guest artist
Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 7:30 P.M. | Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall PROGRAM
Trojan Steel Band
Jean & Dinah Traditional
Jamaican Farewell arr. Ryan Lewis
Steampipe Rhumba Traditional
Try Jah Love
Third World
I Melt With You arr. Jeff Moore
UA Little Rock Percussion Ensemble
Music Desegregation (2020-2022)
Humming Chorus
Chris Thompson (b. 1991)
Stephen Graham, piano
Estefany Contreras Briceno, Analise McKenzie, soprano
Andrew Battie, Kennis Ellis, tenor
Georgia Geren, Saige Kelly, Laila Leon, alto
The Gospel
Fearless
Joshua Gregory, alto saxophone
Caged Birds The Most Heard
Revelations
Meredith Maddox Hicks, viola
Estefany Contreras Briceno, Analise McKenzie, Saige Kelly, soprano
Masterplan
-
- brief intermission
PERSONNEL
Percussion Ensemble
Zac Cheesman
Omar Delgado
Harris Hogue
Nate Johnson
Alexia Minzel
Ethan Nooner
Chelsea Saunders
Trojan Steel Band
Alex Alvarez-Barreiro
Zac Cheesman
Laila Petties-Leon
Sherry Williamson
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Christopher Thompson (He/Him/His), also known as "Master Christopher", is a multi-disciplined performer-composer who creates innovative ways to blur the distinction between genres by merging contemporary art music, jazz, and percussion, with notated rap. He has recently released his debut album “Music Desegregation” in July 2022, which featured nine unique works spanning a plethora of musical styles and instruments while collaborating with over thirty artists and musicians. Performing in venues like the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival in High Point NC, the 2022 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf Germany, and with groups like the Greensboro Symphony and the Winston Salem Symphony Orchestras, he continually expounds on the limits of genre and creates intercultural music.
Originally from Greensboro, NC, Chris is now based in Philadelphia, PA. He is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. He also serves as a Lecturer of Music for the City University of New York at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. Chris previously taught as the director of percussion studies at High Point University, where he led a comprehensive percussion program. At HPU, Mr. Thompson directed the Panther Pulse Drumline and was the assistant conductor of the Wind Ensemble.
Thompson is passionate about community engagement and inclusive opportunities for music performance. He is the founder and director of Motivational Arts, Performance, and Sound (M.A.P.S.), a company that teaches vision through an inspirational performance of the arts. As a Motivational Performer, he presents an inspirational message in various community settings and encourages underrepresented
groups to realize their dreams while experiencing a high level of the arts.
A proud Alumnus of an HBCU, Chris earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University. There he marched for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine and served as Drum Captain for the internationally acclaimed Cold Steel Drumline. Chris also holds a master’s degree in Percussion Performance and a post-baccalaureate certifcate in Jazz Studies from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, where he served as Principal Percussionist for the University Symphony Orchestra.
Christopher Thompson currently serves on the board of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, is a member of the Percussive Arts Society New Music/Research committee, and is an Endorsed Artist for Marimba One and Black Swamp Percussion.
FOLLOW UA LITTLE ROCK PERCUSSION ON SOCIAL MEDIA! STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE PERCUSSION PROGRAM Any enrolled UA Little Rock student is able to join! Contact Dr. Bunting (jbunting@ualr.edu) for more information
UA LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL OF LITERARY AND PERFORMING ARTS
MUSIC FACULTY AND STAFF
Gideon Brewer, Audio Technician
Kristina Buck, Voice
Dr. Justin Bunting, Director of Instrumental Activities/Percussion
Mary Alice Chambers, Clarinet/Saxophone
Dr. Nickolas Doshier, Director of Music Education/Wind Ensemble
Lisa Doss, Flute/Flute Ensemble/Clarinet Ensemble
Dr. Rolf Groesbeck, Musicology
Dr. Naoki Hakutani, Piano
Dr. Linda Holzer, Piano/Aural Skills/Music History
Leann Jones, Collaborative Pianist
Diane Kesling, Voice
Ed Levy, Guitar/Bass
Meredith Maddox Hicks, Violin/Viola
Dr. Lorissa Mason, Director of Choral Activities
Dr. Kris McAbee, Co-Director, School of Literary and Performing Arts
Dr. Jaeyeon Park, Collaborative Pianist
Stacy Pendergraft, Co-Director, School of Literary and Performing Arts
Vicki Plant, Administrative Assistant
David Renfro, French Horn
Kate Sain, Voice
Mike Stacks, Lighting Director
Dr. Andrew Stadler, Trumpet
Dr. Michael Underwood, Low Brass/Music Theory/Jazz Ensemble