SEARCY, Ark. — Caleb Overton of Crestview has been selected as a 2016-17 member of the Harding University Concert Choir. Overton, a music major, is one of more than 30 majors represented in the 90-member group.
Under the direction of Dr. Kelly Neill, the group maintains an active schedule singing on campus, touring regionally, and performing with the university orchestra.
In the last few years, the group has sung for Harding's presidential inauguration as a part of a combined 250-voice choir and performed for President George W. Bush and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
In addition, Overton has been selected as a member of the Jazz Band.
Overton plays a wide variety of styles with the group including blues, swing, bop, Latin and fusion. Improvisation is taught as part of the jazz curriculum, and each student is given the opportunity to improvise in rehearsal and performance. Each member also is encouraged to write arrangements and hear them performed.
Overton, who plays the trombone, also has been selected for Harding’s Thundering Herd marching band. The band performs at all home football games and selected fall exhibitions and parades.
The band consists of instrumentalists including woodwind players, brass players and percussionists from all majors. Dr. Wesley Parker, the assistant professor of music, directs the marching band.
Overton began the 2016 Thundering Herd season with a weeklong marching band camp on campus before the start of the fall semester. During this time students reviewed marching fundamentals, learned and reviewed drum major commands, participated in sectionals led by members of the music faculty, participated in music rehearsals, and learned the pregame and first halftime shows.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man selected for Harding choir, jazz and marching bands