If you are looking for information about Ouachita Baptist University’s Athletic Bands, you have come to the right place! Thank you for your interest in Ouachita Baptist University’s Athletic Band Program. I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to visit our campus and audition for one of our scholarships. We have scholarships to offer to anyone who is interested in being a part of the many different ensembles that we offer at Ouachita Baptist University.

     Ouachita was recently named as one of the Top 5 Regional Liberal Arts Universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report and was ranked by John Culler & Sons as one of America’s 100 Best College Buys. With more than 150 music majors, Ouachita has become the university of choice for those students interested in academic and Christian excellence.

     Regardless of your choice of major, you are eligible for scholarships in music and are welcome to audition for any of our instrumental ensembles. Please fill out our on-line information form and we will be glad to send you additional information about Ouachita Baptist University. Please contact me as soon as you are ready to set up an audition date. Your All-Region music (or the equivalent) will be just fine for you to audition on, unless you’re working on another piece you would prefer to play. I would encourage you to set up an audition date as soon as possible.

     Your participation in our ensembles will be more musically fulfilling with the majority of the ensemble being musicians on your level. It is great fun being in an ensemble that is able to move quickly and develop programs for performance in such a short amount of time. If you are worried about the time commitment being similar to what you have dedicated to your high school ensembles, you will be surprised in how much gets done on so little time. Come check us out and see for yourself that the “Most Exciting Band in Tiger Land” is exactly that!

We welcome your questions concerning any of our bands here at OBU. We hope that you will be part of our proud tradition and exciting future! Come join us at OBU. We think you will like what you find! Go Tigers !

     If I can help you in any way please contact me. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,




Director of Athletic Bands
Ouachita Baptist University
OBU Box 3626
Arkadelphia, AR 71998
(870) 245-5142
hesser@obu.edu



Scholarship Information

Instrumental Music Major Scholarships:

Any student who is majoring in instrumental music with a BME, BM or BA degree qualifies to receive an instrumental music major scholarship. These scholarships will be awarded through an audition process. The Instrumental Music Major Scholarship can vary in amount and will be tied to GPA requirements and Ensemble participation.

Instrumental Non-Music Major Scholarships (Band Scholarship):

Any student who is pursuing a degree other than Music at Ouachita Baptist University is eligible to receive a band scholarship. These scholarships are awarded through an audition process. The Band Scholarship can vary in amount and will be tied to GPA requirements and Ensemble participation. Non-music major scholarship recipients are also required to take one semester of private lessons through OBU. Additional scholarship money is added to the base scholarship for every auditioned ensemble per semester (Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Small Ensembles).

“Tiger Jam” Basketball Pep Band Scholarships:

Each member of the “Tiger Jam” Basketball Pep Band receives a scholarship. These scholarships can be in addition to the Music Major and Band Scholarship. Selections for membership are done in the fall and come from the participants in the marching band. Rhythm positions are determined by audition when necessary.

“Eligibility”:

Both incoming students and those who are already members of the Ouachita Bands may audition for music scholarships. You do not have to be a Music Major; students majoring in all curricula are eligible. The Ouachita Tiger Marching Band does not offer Feature Twirler or flag line scholarships.




Instrumental Music Scholarship Audition Dates:

Each year, there are early Instrumental Music Scholarship auditions dates. If you are interested in auditioning on one of these dates, fill out our prospective student on-line form to select a date. If you are not able to attend on one of the audition dates, please check the procedure listed below to schedule a personal audition date that can usually be arranged in conjunction with a campus visit. We encourage students to audition before the February 15th University deadline for scholarships.

Scheduled dates:
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
We will continue to hear scholarship auditions throughout the Spring semester. Contact Mr. Hesse to set up a time & date.


Audition Requirements:

For both Music Major Scholarships and Non-major Scholarships (Band Scholarships) the requirements consist of three parts: Woodwind and brass auditions:
  1. A prepared selection of your choice (All-Region or UIL etude or solo literature) that demonstrates a lyrical flow of the melodic line.
  2. A prepared selection of your choice (All-Region or UIL etude or solo literature) that demonstrates a more technical expertise.
  3. A short sight-reading excerpt.
Percussion auditions:

  1. Rudiments on snare drum and selected major scales on a mallet instrument
  2. A prepared piece (All-Region or UIL etude or solo literature) of your choice on each instrument: snare drum, timpani and keyboard mallets.
  3. A short sight reading excerpt on each instrument (Note: For marching band battery percussionists, the audition will consist of a rudimental snare drum solo of the performer’s choice and the following rudiments performed open-close-open: double stroke long roll, paradiddle, flam accent and single drag tap.)
Audition Location:

All scholarship auditions will be held in the Mabee Fine Arts Building, located on Ouachita Street on the Ouachita Baptist University Campus.

GPA Requirements:

Students will need to maintain a 2.0 GPA average to continue and receive their scholarship. Students failing to keep their GPA average above the 2.0 average will lose their scholarship and will be required to audition again to reinstate their scholarship once their GPA has improved to the 2.0 level.

Ensemble Participation:

All Music Degrees (Majors and Band Scholarships) are required to participate in:
  • Marching Band during the Fall Semester
  • One of the concert bands (Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band) during the Spring Semester
Scheduling Auditions:

If you are interested in scheduling an audition, please do the following:
  1. Express your interest either by contacting the studio professor (check the faculty link for studio homepages) or by submitting the online form.
  2. Make sure you have taken or are scheduled to take the ACT or SAT.
  3. Complete and submit an OBU Admission Application.
  4. Schedule an audition time by contacting the studio professor, Dr. Hamilton, or Mr. Hesse.
  5. Verify appropriate audition material by contacting the studio professor.
  6. Familiarize yourself with the Instrumental Scholarship Audition Guidelines.
  7. Check OBU Instrumental Audition Dates.
Degrees Offered:

Check out the degree plans for the following degrees:
  1. Bachelor of Music Performance
  2. Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental
  3. Bachelor of Music Theory/Composition
  4. Bachelor of Arts


Additional Information:

If you have questions or need additional information, contact:
Robert Hesse
Director of Athletic Bands
Ouachita Baptist University
OBU Box 3626
Arkadelphia, AR 71998
(870) 245-5142
hesser@obu.edu

Contact Us!





First Name:         Last Name:

Street Address:

City:      State:        Zip:

E-Mail Address:   Phone Number:

H.S. Graduation Year:      Preferred Instruments:

High School:        Director's Name:

Intended Major:      GPA:      ACT:

I am interested in: (Check all that apply)
Wind Ensemble Marching Band Tiger "Blast" Percussion Ensemble
Symphonic Band Jazz Band Pep Band Colorguard

I am interested auditioning for a scholarship: Yes No

Preferred Audition Date: (mm/dd/yy)

Top Three College Choices:
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List musical honors and awards you have received: