October 28, 2109 Music Worship Convocation

On Monday October 28, 2019, Mr. Gregg Busch hosted a Music Worship Convocation. During the "Night of Worship," students of College of the Ozarks gathered together to sing praises to God. Students led students through a journey of faith and worship with a volunteer choir and band with student and faculty soloists.







Campus Minister, Justin Sharp, gave a devotion as students began to pray and worship together. Studens also shared their testimonies and encouraged their peers to be thankful for the people in thier lives.

College of the Ozarks and the Music Department are thankful for the students who volunteered to lead as well as the students who came to share in the worship.

Jordan Bryant Senior Recital 11-16-19

On Saturday, November 16^th, 2019, the College of the Ozarks Music Department hosted Jordan Bryant’s senior recital. Jordan has loved music since he was very young. He inherited his love for singing from his parents, and often joined them in singing at church as a child. 

Throughout his time at College of the Ozarks, Jordan has studied under both Mr. Gregg Busch and Dr. John Cornish, has participated in the Chorale and Chapel Choir, and has played a part in two of the musicals produced by the college, Mary Poppins and Bright Star. 

Throughout the recitalm  Jordan performed many pieces by various composers, including three French pieces by Hahn and Duparc, two German pieces by Schubert, an Italian piece by Mozart, and multiple English pieces by Handel, Williams, and Weill. 

To finish off his recital, Jordan performed “Grace so Amazing”, a piece written by his great-grandfather, Eugene Bartlett. Jordan did a wonderful job, and the music department is very proud of all the work he has done. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

10-25-2019 Chorale & Orchestra Concert

On Friday, October 25th, the College of the Ozarks Chorale and Orchestra performed a concert in the Royal Oak Forum at the Keeter Center. The theme was American Voices, and featured a patriotic composition entitled "The Testament of Freedom" by Randall Thompson. This piece was a setting of texts taken from the writings of Thomas Jefferson and speaks of spreading life and liberty across the globe. The orchestra also played two other pieces, "Variations on 'America'" and "Lincoln Portrait. " Biblical and Theological Studies professor Dr. Daniel Chinn read the narration during the "Lincoln Portrait" performance. The Chorale also performed a few works independently from the orchestra, including the traditional song "Shenandoah," ""Zion's Walls," and "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor." We appreciate the ensembles sharing their musical talents with us!

10-19-2019 MTNA Fall Piano Festival

On Saturday, October 19th, the College of the Ozarks hosted a community piano recital for surrounding piano students and teachers. Fourteen students participated in the festival and received feedback from College of the Ozarks piano pedagogy students as well as Dr. Clara Christian, associate professor of piano.

There was also an honors recital for selected students to perform their pieces, and also an opportunity for the community students to hear and learn from the College of the Ozarks students. Congratulations to all who participated in the MTNA fall festival and thank you to Dr. Clara Christian for helping this event run smoothly. We are excited to see how these students progress in piano and hope to see them all again next year!

Fall 2019 Opera Scenes Workshop

On the weekend of October 19th and 20th, 2019, some of our students performed in multiple, individual scenes from various operas. The Opera Scenes program was directed by Ms. Rebecca Claborn and Mr. Gregg Busch, and accompanied by Dr. John Cornish and Mrs. Vicky Claborn.

Eighteen student performed this year: Christian Belcher, Anna Brayman, Jordan Bryant, Addison Cramer, Spencer Fleury, KJ Flynn, Nathan Foley, Joel Harrison, Rebecca Hunter, Susie Johnson, Lizzie Jordan, Emily LaVelle, Abraham Martin, Jennifer Powers, Kandice Riley, Rani Rush,

Elijah Shafer, and Isaia Wilcoxen.

Ms. Claborn and Mr. Busch also served as the 

event hosts, introducing each piece for the 

audience's contextual understanding. Most of the pieces were translated into English as well.

The students did a great job, and we look forward to the next Opera Scenes production.

April 25, 2019 Jazz Ensemble Concert

On Thursday, April 25, 2019, the College of the Ozarks Jazz Ensemble performed in Jones Auditorum for a convocation. The concert included many forms of jazz music and featured mulitiple soloists.

The concert opened with Norwegian Wood by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and featured soloists Jay Parks on the trombone and Kate Nettleton on the saxophone.


A slower piece called Crystal Silence, by Chick Corea, featured Erin Hall on the piano and Bill Reder on the saxophone.

The Big Dance, by Ralph Ford, featured many soloists including Kaylen Draschil on the piano, Jay Parks on the trombone, Bill Reder on the saxophone, and Dylan Coleman on the guitar.





The concert ended with Big Time Operator, by Scotty Morris, and featured multiple soloists including Bill Reder on the saxophone, Joel Harrison on the piano, Jay Parks on the trombone, and Dylan Coleman on the guitar.







At the completion of the concert, Dalton Elery, Dylan Coleman, and Kaylen Draschil were recognized as graduating seniors.

The College of the Ozarks Jazz Ensemble put on an amazing performance and we are looking forward to the next year of concerts.

Sunday, April 28th: Chorale and Chapel Choir Concert

On Sunday, April 28th, the College of the Ozarks Chapel Choir and Chorale performed a combined concert in Williams Memorial Chapel. 

The Chapel Choir performed first, singing several gospel-style, contemporary Christian choral pieces with the theme However... By Faith.  

The Chorale's program focused on the theme Refuge, singing sacred and secular choral pieces by a variety of composers, including a new setting of the hymn "Like a River Glorious" by the Chorale's own director, John Cornish.