U of A Music Faculty and Alumni Perform and Record Special Project With Fort Smith Symphony

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U of A faculty and alumni with Fort Smith Symphony. Front from left: Mike Burkpile, Theresa Delaplain, Jayne Jostad and Er-Gene Kahng. Second row: Paul Johnston, Cory Mixdorf, Emmaline Smyth, Jerry Lane, Jesse Collett and Randy Graham. Third row: John Jeter, music director; Berndt Gottinger, audio engineer; Ronnamarie Jensen and Suzanne McGowen.

Several U of A faculty and alumni who are members of the Fort Smith Symphony recently performed a concert of music by Native American composer Louis Ballard and then spent several sessions recording the music for a release on the Naxos label later this year.

Music director John Jeter said, "Quapaw/Cherokee composer Louis Wayne Ballard is known as the 'Father of Native American composers.' He was a pianist, percussionist, performer, composer, educator, music administrator, music and film producer, writer and visual artist. His music was performed throughout the United States and in Europe during his lifetime. His works combine traditional Western styles with hints and moments of Indigenous musical styles and sounds, figures and gestures. As music for the concert hall becomes more diverse, Ballard's music is some of the most important to be added to programs, as he was the first Native American concert composer." 

The album will include five of Ballard's works, all of which will be world premiere recordings. These are Devil's Promenade, Fantasy Aborigine, Four Moons, Scenes from Indian Life and Feast Day. Recording for the album was done by Grammy-winning audio engineer Berndt Gottinger.

The four U of A Music Department faculty members who are in the Fort Smith Symphony and were part of this project are Er-Gene Kahng, concertmaster; Theresa Delaplain, principal oboe; Cory Mixdorf, second trombone; and Jesse Collett, principal viola.

"I am so excited, thankful and proud to have been a part of this important project," Kahng said. "Thank you to Fort Smith Symphony! I had a wonderful time recording with alumni and colleagues from the University of Arkansas." 

Alumni include Mike Burkpile, Randy Graham, Ronnamarie Jensen, Jayne Jostad, Jerry Lane, Paul Johnston, Suzanne (Tourville) McGowen and Emmaline (Norris) Smyth.

Smyth (2003), second flutist in the symphony, said, "The music of Native American composer Louis Ballard is a fantastic adventure for both the listener and musician. He transports you on a journey that deftly weaves classical themes through moments of lightheartedness, contemplative stillness and reverent tributes to his heritage and life story. It is an important story. Take the time to listen.

"It was an honor to be a part of this project," she said, "and it is my hope that this effort will continue to elevate Ballard's work and bring it to a rightful place of enduring recognition within the concert repertoire."

Naxos is the world's leading classical music label. The new Ballard album is estimated to be released in November.