Aug. 30, 2007

University of Mobile Students
Selected for Elite Ensemble

Members of the University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts’ elite ensemble RamCorps were selected for the 2007-2008 school year at the private, Baptist-affiliated university.

RamCorps is University of Mobile’s high powered, precision brass and percussion performance team. RamCorps performs annually from September through May in 65 different venues.

This year’s repertoire includes John Williams’ “Bugler’s Dream (Olympic Fanfare),” Gustav Holst’s “Mars,” “Everybody Loves the Blues,” “Malaguena” from the No. 1 Broadway hit, “Blast!,” and many other selections, several which are arranged by RamCorps director Donald Wolf.

RamCorps travels extensively throughout the United States and abroad, serving as ambassadors for the University of Mobile at schools, churches, conferences, civic and sporting events. This year, RamCorps will travel to Beijing and Shanghai, China. The trip “will be a tremendous cultural experience for the group,” said Wolf, also assistant professor of music at UM. RamCorps will also perform regional fall, winter and spring tours throughout the Southeast.

Members of RamCorps are Dan Ayotte of Sammamish, Wash., trombone; John Bailey of Double Springs, Ala., trombone; Nathan Brooks of Marietta, Ga., mellophone; Brad Cleveland of Mobile, trumpet; Wesley Gay of Headland, Ala., bass drum; Jessica Graham of Bay Minette, Ala., snare drum; Joe Green of Chatom, Ala., snare drum; Ray Harper of Milton, Fla., trumpet; Randy Howe of Mobile, tenor drums; Meredith Jones of Fort Payne, Ala., percussion; Jeremy Messer of Mobile, trombone; Leah Kathryn Mills of Tuscaloosa, Ala., mellophone; Ryan Pippin of Fairhope, Ala., mellophone; Matt Squires of Saraland, Ala., trumpet; Brad Threadgill of Creola, Ala., trumpet; Kylie Watkins of Trussville, Ala., trumpet; featured soloist Nathan Woodward of Pascagoula, Miss., saxophone; and Tyler Yawn of Cordele, Ga., tuba.

For more information about RamCorps or the Center for Performing Arts, visit www.umobile.edu, or call 251-442-2420.