WALNUT RIDGE - Williams Baptist College has announced the formation of an instrumental ensemble for the upcoming fall semester, and Walnut Ridge native Craig Wadley will lead the group.
"I want to see a well-rounded wind ensemble," Wadley said. "This will be a mixed instrumentation group that can perform at a variety of events - from formal occasions, such as graduation and church services, to other occasions, maybe including some athletic events."
Wadley was valedictorian of Walnut Ridge High School when he graduated in 1989.
He went on to earn bachelor'sand master's degrees in music from Arkansas State University, and he is director of bands andtechnology coordinator in the Rector School District. Wadley will continue in that role, and he will direct the Williamsband on a part-time basis.
"I have been in the public schools for 11 years, so being at Williams provides a challenge that lets me work on a higher level. We will get to focus on theartistry of the music with a group that is more experienced," Wadley said.
Wadley has been married for 19 years to Karla Corbett, a Walnut Ridge native whom he met while both were in the choir at WRHS. They have one son, Christopher, who is 10 years old.
Williams Baptist has a well established choral music program, including its choir, the Williams Singers, but this will be the first instrumental ensemble sponsored by the college in a number of years. The Williams Music Department offers three majors: music, K-12 music education and church music.
The ensemble will be opento any student with prior instrumental experience enrolled at WBC, regardless of major. Interested parties should contact Bob Magee, chairman of the WBC Music Department, for more information at (870) 759-4159.
Three Rivers, Pages 127 on 05/18/2008